Lack Of Sanitary Pad: A Major Contributing Factor To School Drop Out Among Girls – The Sewing Teacher Divulges

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Val Charity Foundation, Janet Asibi, popularly known as “The Sewing Teacher” has appealed to government to reduce the tax on the importation of sanitary pads to make it affordable.

She stated that “lack of sanitary pads has been identify as a major contributing factor to school absenteeism among girls during their menstrual periods.”

She further added that most parents in rural communities in the country are unable to bear the cost of sanitary pads in assisting their girls to undergo safe menstrual periods, which result in most of them engaging in negative lifestyles with the ultimate aim of getting what they want.

Access to sanitary pads according to her is still a big challenge in Ghana due to the current high tax on it hence the need for government to immediately intervene in reducing it.

Averagely a packet of sanitary pad goes for GHC17.00 which is a huge amount for some parents and guardians in the rural communities.

Due to this reason, some end up using rags and tissue papers which are not ideal for their reproductive organs.

Based on these challenges, The Sewing Teacher thinks it is high time government takes a critical look at the matter and nib the problem of rising cost of sanitary pads in the bud.

Madam Janet Assibi indicated that the rising cost of Sanitary Pads in the country are beyond the financial capacity of most parents in Ghana more especially those from less privilege families.

Evidence shows that the period around puberty is one in which many girls drop out of school or are absent from school for significant periods of time.

To be Continued…

— Ama Val The Sewing Teacher 🌎 (@thesewingteach1) May 16, 2023

 

 

has thrown many to throes for lack of finances to patronize.
It is a clarion call to assist young girls with sanitary pads and we call upon you to support this agenda. pic.twitter.com/VwFAIbLaVz

— Ama Val The Sewing Teacher 🌎 (@thesewingteach1) May 16, 2023

 

 

 

She therefore appealed to stakeholders and philanthropists to come to her aid in the upcoming projects of donating Sanitary Pads to some selected basic schools in the country.

 

 

AN INVITATION TO DONATE ❗️❗️❗️

Lack of sanitary pads as also been widely reported to be a major contributing factor to school absenteeism among girls in their menstrual periods

I’m taking this till 25th of May
0241155507( Janet Assibi)
Reference ‘’PAD pic.twitter.com/dvnjKbJTPl

— Ama Val The Sewing Teacher 🌎 (@thesewingteach1) May 16, 2023

 

 

Please for more information contact : 0241155507

 

 

 

In 2022 SDGs Report: Menstruation major cause of female school dropout

 

A report on Ghana’s implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) says menstruation remains a major contributor to school absenteeism and dropout among girls, particularly in rural areas.

 

This is a result of a myriad of challenges, including the increasing cost of sanitary materials, which makes the girls resort to unhygienic materials, and suffer menstrual pain and related health issues.

 

Others challenges mentioned in the report compiled by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), are fear of staining oneself and the perceived stigma; the absence of a sick bay or rest area to help girls rest during painful menstrual cramps.

No or limited access to water and sanitary facilities; washrooms not disability friendly for Persons With Disabilities; and lack of convenient places to dispose of used sanitary materials were also named in the 2022 Voluntary National Review (VNR) Report.

The issue of menstruation was captured under SDG Goal 4 on quality education, which enjoins UN member states to “Ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

The findings of the report comes at a time various Civil Society Organisations are advocating the scrapping of the 20 percent tax on sanitary pads as it was a disincentive to promoting the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls in the country.

 

 

 

 

 

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