Kadjebi: The Agortime Cluster of World Vision Ghana has launched a Community Pad Bank initiative in Yadzo, within the Kadjebi Area Programme, as part of the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day celebrations. Mr Eric Opoku Agyarko, the Cluster Manager for Agortime, stated that the initiative aims to provide free sanitary pads to vulnerable and underserved girls in the community, reducing period poverty and promoting menstrual dignity.
According to Ghana News Agency, the launch, held under the global theme 'Together for a Period Friendly World,' gathered stakeholders from the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, and the Kadjebi District Assembly. These stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation and ensuring that every girl has the resources and confidence to manage her period safely and with dignity.
Speaking at the event, Mr Irvine Aboagye, Southern Regional Operations Manager of World Vision Ghana, emphasized the need for such interventions. He noted that teenage pregnancy among girls continues to rise partly due to their dependence on boys for basic needs like sanitary pads. He described the Community Pad Bank as not just a donation centre but a lifeline to protect the dignity and future of young girls.
The Pad Bank will be replenished through voluntary community donations, with a call for individuals, institutions, and partners to contribute at least one pack of sanitary pads a month. The initiative is expected to curb exploitation, boost school attendance among girls, and address long-standing myths and taboos surrounding menstruation.
Cynthia, a midwife from the Yadzo CHPS Compound, conducted a practical menstrual hygiene session, educating young girls on the proper application and disposal of sanitary pads in a safe and hygienic manner. Dr. Sam Suraj Issaka, the District Chief Executive of Kadjebi, praised the initiative as vital for promoting the health, dignity, and educational opportunities for girls in the area.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated annually on May 28, aiming to raise awareness about menstrual health and hygiene, promote good menstrual hygiene management, and tackle period poverty.
