Ghana's Tax on Sanitary Pads Deprives Girls of Education
The World Health Organization (WHO) has already declared menstruation and menstrual health as a health and human rights issue. Despite menstruation being a normal fact of life, it has been difficult for Ghanaian girls to get affordable sanitary pads.
Ghana's increased taxes on imported goods crossed 40% this year. This move made sanitary pads unaffordable for many school-age girls. Schools officials have said that females skip classes during their menses which affects their education.
Data suggests that girls skip school for around 40 days per year to avoid embarrassment when makeshift parts such as clothes leak. The loss of education can hold the girls back economically. This vicious cycle is known as 'Period Poverty.'
The Ghana Girls Guide Association, a Girl Scout partner, has petitioned the government in parliament, urging leaders to scrap taxes on sanitary pads since 2019. However, Ghana's female lawmakers have said that there isn't enough political will to waive taxes on sanitary pads.
The Research and Counseling Foundation for African Migrants (RECFAM) has found another way to address the high cost of imported pads. The aid group makes them locally out of biodegradable banana fibre for about half the price for rural school girls and women.
However, without sponsorship, the increased taxes this year could force them to stop producing.
The only long-term solution to keep vulnerable school girls in school is to keep pushing Ghana's lawmakers until they agree to a tax waiver on sanitary pads.
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