“This half year, we have attended to about 200 girls for pregnancy cases, and I can say emphatically that the pad issue is indirectly contributing to the rise of teenage pregnancies in the municipality and elsewhere. If the government takes the necessary steps and pays attention to the pad issues, the trend of teenage pregnancy, UTI cases, STI cases and adolescent with HIV cases, would reduce drastically and enhance the reproductive health and wellbeing of adolescents.”

- Ashaiman Health Officer, on the lack of access to sanitary menstrual products

Attitudes Toward Menstruation

Findings showed that girls/young women receive little support by way of menstrual education from parents with next to no involvement from fathers. One respondent stated “they [parents] speak to us in proverbs which we hardly understand … we are not encouraged to speak to them about our menstrual cycle”. Nearly 50% of respondents “associate it [menstruation] with dirt and shame”. At school, home, and the workplace pads are hidden when using the washroom to avoid embarrassment and shaming. In interview, a parent noted that “girls [who are menstruating] are not allowed to cook because they may stain themselves while cooking”. The report maintains this attitude is pervasive among Ghanaian women and mothers as well as boys, men, and the wider society. In turn, education, awareness, and acceptance of menstrual health and safety is low, further exacerbating risks associated.

Briefing Note: "Breaking Menstrual Silence" May 2024 Report by Send Ghana

Article Highlights

Link to complete report: https://sendwestafrica.org/nu/gh/breaking-menstrual-silence-unveiling-the-hidden-struggles-among-adolescent-girls-in-ghana/

Associated Health Risks

Factors Limiting Access to Sanitary Products

The study's findings showed a clear preference for disposable pads because of reduced risk of infection and discreet disposal compared to reusable cloth pads. But, for a woman earning minimum wage in Ghana the cost of disposable pads is about 10% of her income. Mothers report having to choose between pads and food in some instances. Combining with attitudes toward menstruation, many girls/young women without effective menstruation products stay home when menstruating. This results in girls/young women missing up to 20% of the school year, further widening the equality gap between boys and girls and reinforcing negative attitudes toward menstruation.

Policy Recommendations

Given the extreme risks associated with period poverty in Ghana, the report puts menstrual health education programs and increasing public awareness and sensitization drive as its highest priority in the policy recommendations. Second, the report calls for improvements in school facilities so girls/young women will be able to privately and hygienically navigate menstruation. For instance, separate washrooms for girls with sufficient access to water, soap, and waste baskets for disposing pads. Third, pads must be reclassified as ‘Essential medical necessities’ which has a zero tax rating making them more accessible. The report concludes that other support systems, for example targeted distribution of pads to deprived schools, would also help to address the problem.