Access to education is essential for every child, but for many young girls in underprivileged areas, a basic necessity can create a major barrier to their education.
On International Youth Day, it’s important to raise awareness on the challenges faced by young girls worldwide, including those in Ghana.
Menstrual hygiene products, which should be simple and accessible, are far from that for countless girls in the country. The increasing cost of sanitary pads affects school absenteeism for low-income girls on their period. This somehow shows the widened gender disparities in education, leading to missed opportunities for a brighter future.
TP believes in empowering women and girls to achieve their fullest potential. Last May, TP Women launched the “Pad Me” project in partnership with the Viola Ford Fletcher Foundation in Ghana. It provides much-needed sanitary pads, hygiene kits, and menstrual education to girls in underprivileged communities so they can stay healthy, safe, and in school.
For low-income families, purchasing sanitary pads is often an expense they can’t afford. Girls resort to unsafe alternatives, risking their health and hygiene in the process. Many avoid attending school during their period altogether. Over the course of time, missed school days escalate into lost opportunities for education, furthering inequality and leaving girls at a disadvantage.
The Pad Me project was driven by two key goals:
Provide access to menstrual hygiene products: Delivering sanitary pads and hygiene kits ensures girls no longer have to skip school for lack of proper resources.
Deliver essential education: With the help of our team of nurses, we provided sex education and menstrual hygiene workshops to arm these young girls with knowledge and confidence.
Working alongside the Viola Ford Fletcher Foundation, we’ve distributed essential hygiene kits to over 300 girls in underprivileged communities. This wouldn’t have been possible without our 20 dedicated volunteers, who supported us in both distributing supplies and conducting education sessions.
Supporting education and equality
The impact of the Pad Me project has been immediate and powerful. Since the intervention, schools in affected areas have reported a noticeable decrease in absenteeism among girls. By keeping young women in school, we’re narrowing the educational gender gap and paving the way for a more equitable future.
Pad Me reflects TP’s commitment to creating a world rooted in equality, inclusion, and opportunity. But our work doesn’t stop here. To ensure the transformation lasts, we’re committed to follow-ups and ongoing education sessions, always ensuring that women and girls feel supported and celebrated.
Want to know more? Reach out to us today to see how we can work together to create even more opportunities for these incredible young women. Visit our TP Women page to learn more.
