Our Periods of Change project in collaboration with NGO Inspire to Rise is an initiative to provide girls in our partner schools with access to menstrual products, as well as education on menstrual hygiene practices and health. The project was launched this month at an event held at the Trashy Bags showroom in Accra. Wendy Atswei Laryea, the founder of Inspire to Rise joined us along with Beth Cadman OBE, Development Director at the British High Commission, and Keith McMahon MBE, British Deputy High Commissioner, Ghana and representatives from The Ghana International Women’s Club. We were also delighted to welcome guests from our corporate donors and friends of the charity, OMA Group, Yinson, Aviance Ghana, Aqua Africa, Starbites Ghana & Jameson Ghana.
We recognise the significant challenges young girls face in managing their periods – many girls in our partner schools are from low-income families and lack access to menstrual products, which can result in them missing school during their periods. In addition, there is often a lack of understanding and education about menstrual hygiene practices, which can lead to further health issues.
Ghana’s 2021 Policy Brief on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) indicates that:
- Out of the 7 million women and girls in Ghana of menstruating age, one in five girls between the ages 15-19 feel excluded from school, social and home activities during their period.
- The majority of girls do not have accurate information on menstruation before their first period
- 1 out of 4 public schools do not have access to sanitation facilities where girls may have space to change
- 9 out of 10 girls regularly miss school during their periods, which has a negative impact on their learning
- Sanitary pads, a basic necessity is subject to a 20% import tax which drives the cost up and limits access (there are calls to address this nationwide)
To start to address these challenges, the Periods of Change project will provide over 600 girls in our partner schools and communities with menstrual products such as sanitary pads, as well as education on menstrual hygiene practices and health. The project also aims to tackle the stigma surrounding menstruation and promote open discussions around the topic.
At the recent launch Trashy Bags unveiled their Oblayo Bag (one of the many products Trashy Bags produce from recycled plastic) and each girl will receive a bag containing sanitary towels, a set of underwear, bars of soap, and a tube of hand sanitizer. The bags will be refilled quarterly to ensure a sustainable supply of products.
Through the project, Futurestars charity hopes to empower girls to manage their periods with confidence and dignity, enabling them to stay in school and continue their education. Ultimately, the project aims to give girls the tools and knowledge they need to reach their full potential.
