Safe Menstruation Movement (SAMMO), a local NGO operating in the Upper East Region of Ghana, has warmly commended the government for fulfilling its manifesto promise to distribute free sanitary pads to girls in basic and secondary schools.
This initiative, announced in the budget statement delivered by the Finance Minister on Tuesday, marks a significant step towards addressing period poverty and promoting menstrual health management in Ghana.
In a statement, SAMMO applauded the government’s commitment to improving the lives of girls and women, particularly in rural and underserved areas. However, the NGO emphasized that while this initiative is a positive step, it is only a short-term solution. SAMMO urged the government and stakeholders to work towards sustainable, long-term measures to eliminate period poverty.
The NGO proposed two key strategies: Scrapping Taxes on Sanitary Pads – SAMMO advocates for the removal of import taxes and VAT on sanitary pads to make them more affordable and accessible. Currently, sanitary pads are classified as “Miscellaneous Manufactured Articles” and attract a 20% import tax and 15% VAT and Investing in Local Manufacturing – By increasing local production of sanitary pads, availability would improve, and costs would decrease, making them more accessible to those in need.
According to SAMMO, implementing these measures would ensure that every girl, both in and out of school, has access to affordable and quality sanitary pads, ultimately promoting menstrual health, education, and empowerment.
The NGO also urged the Ghana Education Service (GES) and other stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of the free sanitary pad distribution, prioritizing the needs and well-being of beneficiaries.
SAMMO extended its full support and gratitude to the government for this initiative and expressed its readiness to collaborate with stakeholders to create a brighter and more equitable future for Ghanaian women and girls.
Below is the full statement:
Source: A1Radioonline.Com | 101.1MHz | David Azure | Bolgatanga
