Accra: More than 500 adolescent girls and women in Ghana's North East Region have received critical support through 'Silence No More,' a new advocacy initiative aimed at addressing sexual violence and the exploitative practice of 'sex for pads' in rural communities. The project, led by grassroots organization Inspire Her Ghana and funded by the African Women's Development Fund (AWDF), was implemented across multiple communities in the Mamprugu Moagduri and West Mamprusi districts.
According to Ghana News Agency, the initiative focused on promoting menstrual dignity, survivor empowerment, and gender-based violence prevention through education, training, and skills development. The campaign began with a series of community engagement and awareness sessions held from March 7 to 11, 2025. These sessions were conducted in schools, youth centres, and community spaces, bringing together students, traditional leaders, women's groups, and young people to discuss issues related to sexual consent, menstrual health, and the risks associated with transactional sex in exchange for sanitary products.
Following the awareness phase, a self-defence and emotional resilience training took place from March 26 to 30, 2025. Survivors of abuse, adolescent girls, and girls with disabilities were trained in basic self-defence techniques and received psychosocial support to help rebuild their confidence and prepare them to navigate unsafe environments.
From April 31 to May 2, 2025, the final phase of the project focused on economic empowerment. Participants were trained in reusable sanitary pad production and beadwork, providing them with practical skills for generating income and promoting menstrual health sustainability within their communities.
According to Inspire Her Ghana, the project reached communities beyond the towns of Yagaba and Sooba, using a district-wide approach to ensure that the most marginalized voices-particularly survivors of sexual violence and girls with disabilities-were included. "This programme created safe spaces for girls to speak out and learn how to protect themselves," said a representative from Inspire Her Ghana. "It's more than advocacy-it's about equipping them with real, life-changing skills."
Many participants reported that the initiative helped to restore their sense of agency and self-worth. Some have already started producing and selling reusable pads locally, while others have taken on peer education roles within their communities. The 'Silence No More' campaign forms part of Inspire Her Ghana's broader mission to eliminate menstrual and gender-based barriers in underserved regions. With continued support from AWDF, the organization is advocating stronger community structures and education systems that protect girls and promote gender equality.
"No girl should have to trade her body for basic hygiene," the organization said. "With Silence No More, we are saying enough is enough." Organizers say plans are underway to explore the possibility of extending the initiative to additional districts in Northern Ghana and beyond.
