Cosmos Bortier, a senior representative of the Nordiq Hygiene Care Industry, has cautioned that menstruation poverty in Ghana is worse than most people realise, with thousands of schoolgirls skipping class each month due to a lack of sanitary pads.
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr Bortier claimed that the expense of sanitary pads continues to encourage risky behaviour and absenteeism among vulnerable females.
“A study shows that 27% of school-going adolescent girls in parts of Ghana miss between 1 and 7 days of school each month simply because they cannot afford sanitary pads,” he stated.
He pointed out that buying pads can cost low-income families up to 10% of their minimum pay, making parents decide between buying food and pads.
He said, “You know what the obvious choice would be. They are really struggling.”
According to Mr. Bortier, a lot of girls turn to dangerous substitutes like newspapers and used rags, which put them at risk for infections and other health issues.
Even more unsettling, he referenced research from Plan International showing that 83% of teenage females in the Upper West have had transactional intercourse in order to purchase sanitary pads
“That’s the scale of the problem we are trying to help fix,” he emphasised.
His remarks coincide with Nordiq Hygiene Care’s increased efforts to promote menstruation equity nationwide, increase local sanitary pad manufacture, and create jobs for women.
Menstrual poverty must be addressed, according to advocates, in order to improve girls’ educational results, lessen adolescent exploitation, and guarantee the dignity of all Ghanaian girls, particularly those living in low-income neighborhoods.
