Happy School Girl Project, a girl child-friendly NGO, is urging stakeholders including government agencies to begin to consider the introduction of reusable sanitary pads.

It believes this is one of the most effective ways of remediating cost and environmental pollution barriers that characterised non-biodegradable sanitary materials.

The NGO says it could only be sustainable if the right action and investment in menstrual hygiene and health is adopted.

In a release signed by the Executive Director of Happy School Girl Project, Awo Aidam Amenyah, the organisation indicated that while steps to reduce cost and access to sanitary products is in order, the project deems it unstainable.

"The sole pursuit of reduction in the cost of sanitary products with little recourse to the consideration of the effects of these products on the environment in the wake of global efforts at tackling climate change.

“Statistics indicate that, young girls and women would have spent about $4,000 to 6,000 each year due to the typical use of at least 3 to 5 pads or tampons a day, depending on their flow.

"With high taxes and levies on such products, many young girls, especially in developing countries, suffer period poverty as a result of their inability to purchase the necessary sanitary products,” the statement indicated.

They further state thatre-useable pads and menstrual cups are sustainable, cost-effective and safe alternatives as long as women have access to soap, clean water and a safe place to dry the re-useable pads.

Below is the full statement

Menstrual Hygiene Day: Go for environmentally friendly options - Happy School Girl Project.

May 28 is observed as the Menstrual Hygiene Day across the globe. The annual commemoration is targeted at helping societies break the silence and taboo, raise awareness and change negative social norms surrounding menstrual hygiene management.

The Happy Girl Project sees this year’s MHDay 2021 which is under the theme 'Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health”, as timely because it provides the opportunity for concerted action in devising strategies that will help tear down the stigma associated with the menstrual period.

Statistics indicate that, young girls and women would have spent about $4,000 to 6,000 each year due to the typical use of at least 3 to 5 pads or tampons a day, depending on their flow. With high taxes and levies on such products, many young girls especially in developing countries suffer period poverty as result of their inability to purchase the necessary sanitary products. Re-useable pads and menstrual cups are sustainable, cost-effective and safe alternatives as long as women have access to soap, clean water and a safe place to dry the re-useable pads.

One would ideally imagine, that with the right interventions by governments and the stakeholders, issues relating to menstrual hygiene would be completely addressed. However, the Happy School Girl Project believe and having observed that there are associated issues of environmental pollution which accompanies the use of some of these sanitary products. 

While steps to reduce cost and access to sanitary products are in order, the project deems it unstainable, the sole pursuit of reduction in cost of sanitary products with little recourse to the consideration of the effects of these products on the environment in the wake of global efforts at tackling climate change.

We urge stakeholders including governmental agencies to begin to consider the introduction of reusable sanitary pads as one of the most effective ways of remediating the barriers of cost and also environmental pollution that characterizes the use of non-biodegradable sanitary materials. This way the right 'Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health” would be sustainably realized.

Signed
Awo Aidam Amenyah
Executive Director