Accra — Policy Analyst at the New Ghana Social Justice Forum, Mr. Abdallah Musah Alhassan, has called for urgent government intervention to reduce the high cost of sanitary pads in Ghana, describing the current prices as “a silent burden on vulnerable girls and young women across the country.”
Mr. Alhassan, who has been actively engaged in gender and social equity advocacy, lamented that thousands of schoolgirls, particularly in low-income and rural communities, are forced to stay out of school during their menstrual periods due to the unaffordability of sanitary products.
“It is unacceptable that a basic hygiene product such as a sanitary pad should be treated as a luxury item,” he said. “The current pricing not only threatens the dignity and health of our girls but also reinforces inequality in access to education.”
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| Abdallah Musah Alhassan |
Call for Policy Action
According to Mr. Alhassan, the imposition of import duties and taxes on sanitary pads has made them prohibitively expensive for many families. He therefore urged the government to scrap or significantly reduce taxes on sanitary pads as part of a broader strategy to promote menstrual health and gender equality.
He further suggested that the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, consider introducing a subsidy or social intervention policy to make sanitary pads accessible to girls in deprived areas.
“This is not a women’s issue alone — it is a national development issue,” he emphasized. “When girls miss classes every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads, we are undermining Ghana’s educational progress and our collective commitment to equality.”
Impact on Education and Dignity
Research conducted by various NGOs and health organizations indicates that a significant number of adolescent girls in Ghana miss up to five school days a month during menstruation. This, Mr. Alhassan noted, deepens educational inequality and limits the future potential of many young women.
He pointed out that the situation also poses serious health and psychological challenges, as some girls resort to unsafe alternatives such as rags or tissue paper, which can lead to infections and stigma.
“A girl’s dignity should not depend on her ability to afford sanitary pads,” he stressed. “We must confront this as a matter of public policy and human rights.”
A Call for Collective Advocacy
Mr. Alhassan also appealed to civil society groups, the media, and corporate Ghana to rally behind efforts aimed at making menstrual hygiene products affordable. He praised ongoing campaigns by women’s rights organizations and urged Parliament to prioritize discussions on the taxation of sanitary products.
He concluded that the New Ghana Social Justice Forum remains committed to championing social justice initiatives that give voice to the vulnerable and promote equity in all sectors of society.