Menstrual Hygiene Products Are Not Luxury Products

HERPol Africa Advocates for Universal Access to Sanitary Pads and Environmental Sustainability

The world observed period Hygiene Day on May 28, 2023, bringing awareness to the significance of period health and hygiene for females. HERPol Africa, a non-governmental organization with headquarters in Tamale, takes advantage of the fact that menstruation is a natural occurrence to promote the rights of teenage girls to proper menstrual hygiene products and education.

Mensuration/Period refers to the regular discharge of blood from the uterine lining of females through the vagina. Simply referred to as a natural cleaning process in females. Menstruation starts when young girls start developing breast often from 9 yrs – 15yrs depending on the unique physiology of the young girl.   To ensure good health and wellbeing girls during this natural process, the proper use of menstrual products is key to safeguarding girls from infection. Also, knowledge on menstrual cycle is important in preventing unplanned pregnancy.

In line with the awareness creation efforts for Menstrual Hygiene Day, HERPol Africa visited Zangbalun Junior High School to educate adolescent girls in the community about their menstrual cycle, menstrual hygiene, the different types of sanitary pads available, and their proper use through practical demonstrations.

During the informative session, the girls were taught about the use and maintenance of eco-friendly sanitary pads, as well as the safe and eco-friendly disposal of used pads to reduce their impact on the environment.

HERPol Africa emphasises that menstruation, being a natural process rather than a choice or luxury, should be considered a natural and moral right for females, particularly young girls undergoing this transformative phase of life. In light of this, the organisation calls on the Ghanaian government and other governments worldwide to eliminate all unfair taxes imposed on menstrual sanitary products, especially pads.

Additionally, HERPol Africa urges the implementation of policies that ensure all manufactured or imported sanitary products are biodegradable, thus protecting the climate and promoting environmental sustainability.

To further support menstrual hygiene management, HERPol Africa proposes the inclusion of sanitary pads in first aid kits/boxes in schools and workplaces. By making menstrual pads universally accessible, especially in educational institutions, young girls would have the right to free and equal access to the necessary resources to address this natural process. HERPol Africa extends its call to the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), governments, and all relevant bodies to include menstrual pads as an essential component of first aid kits, providing universal access to young girls worldwide.

Menstruation is a natural process and must be a right for every young girl to have free and universal access to sanitary pads to support them.

Dr Osman Dufailu (BSc PhD FIBMS)
Executive Director HERPol Africa
info@herpolafrica.org / osmandufailu@herpolafrica.org