The Development Bank Ghana (DBG) has stepped up efforts to support girls’ education and menstrual health by distributing 10,000 sanitary pads to female students in schools across four regions of the country.
The initiative, undertaken as part of the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, targeted beneficiaries in the Northern, Upper East, Ashanti, and Greater Accra regions to help address challenges associated with menstrual hygiene management and school attendance.
The donation coincided with the global observance of World Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, which seeks to promote awareness of menstrual health, improve access to sanitary products, and eliminate stigma surrounding menstruation. This year’s theme, “Together for a Period-Friendly World,” highlights the need for inclusive sanitation facilities, menstrual health education, and affordable menstrual products for all girls and women.
Speaking at a presentation ceremony at Tepa Senior High School, Ms. Barbara Anawonu Wricketts, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at DBG, said empowering girls with knowledge and resources was essential to their wellbeing and academic success.
She stressed the importance of educating young girls about menstruation early in life, noting that many begin experiencing menstrual cycles at a young age and require accurate information and support to manage the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty.
Ms. Wricketts also expressed concern about persistent myths and cultural misconceptions surrounding menstruation, which often discourage open discussions and leave many girls without the guidance they need. She encouraged students to seek support from parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals whenever they have concerns about their menstrual health.
The Senior Housemistress of Tepa Senior High School, Mrs. Helen Baffoe Adentwi, welcomed the initiative and called for stronger partnerships among government institutions, development organisations, and other stakeholders to improve menstrual health management nationwide.
According to her, while efforts are being made to raise awareness, many girls still face difficulties accessing sanitary products due to cost, making continued interventions necessary.
She emphasized that menstruation is a natural biological process and that girls should be provided with the resources and support needed to manage it with dignity, confidence, and without disruptions to their education.
Some beneficiary students appealed for sustained support and increased public education on menstrual health, explaining that the high cost of sanitary products can sometimes affect school attendance and classroom participation.
Students from Maabang Senior Technical High School and girls from neighbouring communities in the Ashanti Region also benefited from the programme.
The sanitary pad distribution exercise was carried out in partnership with the Special Lady Foundation as part of broader efforts to promote menstrual health, reduce absenteeism among schoolgirls, and support gender-inclusive education across Ghana.
