The Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Nana Momo Lartey, has called for increased investment in disability-friendly sanitation facilities and menstrual health education to ensure that girls with disabilities can fully participate in national development.
Speaking at the commemoration of this year’s Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day, the Minister emphasised the urgent need to improve access to safe and disability-friendly sanitation facilities and to strengthen menstrual health education for girls with disabilities.
She noted that women and girls with disabilities continue to face barriers in accessing menstrual health information, healthcare services, inclusive sanitation facilities, and social support systems, which often undermine their dignity, confidence, and participation in society.
According to the Minister, the national theme reflects the need for menstrual health interventions that respond to the unique challenges faced by women and girls with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
She stated that although menstruation is a natural biological process, it continues to be surrounded by silence, stigma, misinformation, and discrimination in many communities.
“As a result, many girls miss school during their menstrual periods, while others experience exclusion and embarrassment because they menstruate,” she added.
Dr Lartey noted that the challenges require deliberate and sustained interventions that promote inclusion and equal opportunities for all women and girls.
She cited the government’s recently launched Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Programme as one of the measures aimed at improving menstrual hygiene management among school girls.
“The initiative, introduced by President John Dramani Mahama as part of his first 120-day social contract commitments, seeks to ensure sustained access to menstrual hygiene products for girls and women, particularly those in vulnerable situations. Under the programme, free sanitary pads are being distributed to girls from Primary Five through Senior High School across all regions of the country,” she added.
According to her, the Gender Ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders to ensure that all eligible beneficiaries, including girls with disabilities in special schools and inclusive education settings, benefit from the programme.
She explained that the initiative has the potential to improve school attendance and participation by removing one of the barriers that often affects girls’ education.
The Minister noted that men and boys are being engaged through the HeForShe initiative and positive masculinity campaigns to help challenge menstrual stigma and support gender equality.
She added that traditional and religious leaders continue to play an important role in encouraging open discussions on menstruation and addressing harmful cultural norms.
The minister urged stakeholders to work together to eliminate harmful practices, including transactional sex for menstrual products, which expose many young girls to abuse, exploitation and early pregnancy.
The event was held under the global theme, “Together for a Period-Friendly World,” with Ghana adopting the sub-theme, “Breaking Barriers: Menstrual Hygiene for Women and Girls with Disabilities.”
Priscilla Osei-Wusu Nimako, ISD
