In the heart of the Akontombra district in Ghana’s Western North Region, a quiet but powerful revolution is taking place. It’s not a political movement or a grand infrastructure project, but something equally transformative ensuring that young girls have access to menstrual hygiene products and a support system to navigate their journey into womanhood.
This is the story of Grace Anite and many other girls like her.
For over a year, Imperial Child Rights and Women Empowerment (ICRAWE) together with its partners: International Rights Advocate, Snowmans Productions, Slave Free Chocolate, and The Alchemist have been distributing menstrual pads to girls in five government schools: Sefwi Kojobi, Sefwi Progya, Sefwi Krobomanhyia, Sefwi Bonwire, and Sefwi Akpafu. Every month, girls from upper primary (class 4) to JHS3 receive these essential supplies, ensuring that menstruation does not become a barrier to their education.
The impact has been profound. At Sefwi Bonwire and Akpafu, for the first time in years, no school girl sat for the final exams last year while pregnant—a powerful testament to the importance of menstrual health and education.
A Harsh Reality: When the Pads Didn’t Come
However, between December and January, ICRAWE together with its partners were unable to supply the sanitary pads. When the team visited Sefwi Progya last week to resume distributions, they met girls who had been forced to find their own ways to cope. Some of their stories were heart-breaking:
Eunice (JHS3) collected and sold cashew nuts from her father’s farm to buy pads. Grace (JHS3) saved part of her daily school money to afford them. Leticia (JHS3) fried eggs and sausages after school to support herself Belinda (JHS3) sold spring rolls to earn money for sanitary pads. Janet (JHS2) and Juliet (Primary 5) had to rely on the kindness of their friends for supplies.
When asked why they didn’t ask their parents or guardians for help, their responses were even more sobering.
Eunice’s father simply refused, believing it was not his responsibility.
Grace’s guardians told her that as a woman, she should find a way to take care of herself. Is this not heart-breaking? As young as Grace, she must find her way out!
Belinda and Leticia knew their guardians wouldn’t help, so they worked to support themselves.
Janet and Juliet on the other hand were too afraid to ask because their home situations were too painful to confront.
Tears, Fear, and a Cry for Help
The emotional weight of the discussion became overwhelming when Janet and Juliet were asked if the team could speak to their guardians. Both girls broke down in tears which made all of us depressing.
Janet comes from a broken home and has no idea where her parents are. She now lives with a man who is no relative of hers. Juliet, on the other hand, lost both parents at a very young age and now stays with someone else. Both girls work on farms most days just to survive. Their teachers and headmaster confirmed their heart-breaking stories.
More Than Just Pads; A Lifeline for These Girls
For many of these young girls, the menstrual pads provided by ICRAWE are more than just hygiene products; they are a symbol of dignity, relief, and hope. Without this support, many would be forced to miss school, struggle financially, or endure stigma and hardship.
Eunice’s plea was simple but powerful: “Please don’t stop the supplies. They help me a lot.”
And so, the mission continues.
ICRAWE and its partners are not just giving out sanitary pads—they are breaking cultural barriers, empowering girls, and transforming communities. In a world where menstruation should never be a burden, these efforts ensure that young girls in the Sefwi Akontombra district can focus on their education, dreams, and future, free from the challenges of period poverty.
The call is clear: No girl should ever have to struggle for something as basic as menstrual hygiene.
Let’s continue to support and uplift them.
