Madam Abiba Nibaradun, the Upper West Regional Programme Manager of ActionAid Ghana (AAG), has emphasized that access to sanitary pads for school girls is crucial in ensuring equitable access to high-quality education for females compared to their male counterparts.
She pointed out that the lack of access to sanitary pads at the basic level has a negative impact on girls' effective participation in education, leading to missed school days during their menstrual periods.
Additionally, some girls resort to engaging in relationships against their will to obtain money for purchasing sanitary products due to financial constraints.
Madam Nibaradun also highlighted that girls who cannot afford sanitary pads tend to stay home from school during their menstrual periods due to fear of humiliation and stigma if they were to stain their clothes.
Madam Nibaradun mentioned that ActionAid has distributed reusable sanitary pads to over 600 basic school girls in previous years to support their continued attendance at school.
In addition, Madam Lydia Ninberewe, the Jirapa Municipal Gender Desk Officer, advised the girls not to use poverty as a reason to request sanitary pads from men who may then demand sexual favors, ultimately jeopardizing their aspirations in life.
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