Menstrual Health Advocate Commends Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, Calls for Transparency and Local Inclusion

Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) specialist, Ms. Blessilla Nana-afoe Aya Kandoh, has lauded the government’s implementation of the Free Sanitary Pad Initiative, describing it as a bold and progressive step toward achieving menstrual equity in Ghana.

In a recent post on her Facebook timeline, Ms. Kandoh—also a youth and women’s advocate—highlighted that menstrual health “is about dignity, health, access to water, and the confidence of girls to sit in class without fear or shame.” She stressed that menstruation, though a natural process, often determines whether girls stay in school or drop out due to the lack of access to menstrual products and private hygiene facilities.

She commended the GHS 292.4 million budgetary allocation for the initiative in the 2025 national budget, following President John Dramani Mahama’s campaign pledge. The programme, officially launched in April 2025, has so far seen the Ghana Education Service (GES) distribute 6.6 million sanitary pads nationwide. The effort has been complemented by health education sessions in schools aimed at breaking menstrual stigma and promoting open conversations on menstrual hygiene.

“Menstrual equity is achievable, but only if we move beyond charity into systems thinking,” Ms. Kandoh stated. “The goal is not just to give pads. The goal is to give every girl a fair chance to stay in school, learn, and thrive, without her period standing in the way of her potential.”

While describing the initiative as “refreshing and hopeful,” Ms. Kandoh urged government and stakeholders to take additional steps to ensure the programme’s sustainability and inclusivity. She questioned the exclusive procurement of pads from Nordiq Hygiene Care Industry Limited and proposed a decentralized approach that includes other local manufacturers.

She cited KODU Technology, a Tamale-based company producing biodegradable pads from banana and plantain fibres, as an example of a potential local partner. “Such companies could supply the northern zone, create jobs, reduce costs, and strengthen Ghana’s local manufacturing capacity,” she wrote.

The advocate also called for a comprehensive monitoring and accountability framework, including clarity on regional coverage, beneficiary verification, and feedback channels. She proposed that the GES introduce a public dashboard to ensure transparency and enhance public trust.

Beyond distribution, Ms. Kandoh stressed that menstrual health programmes must integrate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, such as safe toilets, disposal systems, and access to clean water.

“As someone who has worked on menstrual hygiene advocacy for years, I hope this moment becomes more than a distribution exercise,” she concluded. “It should evolve into a coordinated national effort where policy meets accountability, education, and infrastructure.”

Story By: Ewurama Attoh |www.diamondfmonline.com |Ghana.