Plan International Ghana has praised the government’s landmark decision to allocate Gh₵292.4 million in the 2025 budget to provide free sanitary pads to female students nationwide. Country Director Mr. Constant Tchona described the policy as a crucial step toward tackling menstrual poverty and gender inequality, particularly among girls in rural communities.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr. Tchona highlighted how lack of access to affordable menstrual products remains a major obstacle to girls’ education and health, often forcing them to use unsafe alternatives and leading to school absenteeism. He also warned of the increased vulnerability to abuse that some girls face due to these challenges.
While welcoming the initiative as a positive move to empower girls and break cycles of poverty, Mr. Tchona emphasized the need for the government to ensure effective distribution and sustained investment in menstrual health education and sanitation infrastructure—especially in hard-to-reach areas.
Plan International Ghana has long championed menstrual health through programs like SHE Leads and Pad Bank, distributing reusable and disposable sanitary products to thousands of vulnerable girls. The NGO has also advocated for removing taxes on sanitary products and training local women to produce reusable pads.
The organization remains committed to collaborating with government and partners to advance menstrual hygiene management and gender equality across Ghana, urging a comprehensive approach that includes education, infrastructure, and policy support to help girls thrive free from menstrual poverty.
