World Menstrual Health Day: Cycle Care

The Women's Commission of the University of Ghana Graduate Student's Association recently organised a two-day outreach program called "Cycle Care" to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene management and promote the use of safe and clean menstrual products among school girls. The participating schools, including University Staff Village Basic School, Royal Child School, Madina Number 1 & 4 Primary, and Madina Number 1, 2, and 3 Junior High School, benefitted from this project. 

The primary objective of the outreach was to address the issue of period poverty by providing free sanitary pads to these girls, enabling them to manage their periods hygienically. Additionally, the Commission utilised this opportunity to advocate for the government's consideration of vulnerable girls and young women and the abolition of taxes on sanitary products. They emphasised that menstrual products are a necessity, not a luxury, and the high costs place an undue economic burden on women and girls. 

It is crucial to recognise that menstruation is not a choice, and according to our constitution, access to free universal basic education is a fundamental human right. However, menstrual poverty remains a significant obstacle to girls and young women's education, forcing them to miss school due to the inability to afford sanitary products. This situation is unacceptable. Removing the various taxes on sanitary products would make them affordable, allowing girls and women to remain in school. The Commission called on all well-meaning Ghanaians to support this cause.

The Commission also expressed gratitude to various individuals and organisations who supported this initiative, including the Dean of Students, Prof. Rosina Kyeremanteng, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Mrs. Mary Annane Awuku, Prosper Hoetu Esq, Mr. Justice Agbezuge, Phil's Group, the Executive Council of Grasag-Legon, the Women's Commission Committee, Jibu water, and the African Centre for Women in Politics, along with all those who contributed to the success of this outreach.