Sanitary Pads for 200 School Girls at Tinkong

To ensure lasting progress, the project expanded its support beyond providing sanitary pads to include holistic menstrual hygiene interventions.

• Menstrual Hygiene Education Sessions:
  A total of 2 menstrual hygiene education sessions have been organized  across the six project schools, reaching 200 girls including the 41 direct beneficiaries. These practical, age-appropriate sessions covered menstrual health, personal hygiene, and reproductive well-being. Feedback surveys show that 92% of participants reported feeling “more confident” managing their periods after the sessions.
  
  
• Girls’ Closet Initiative:
  A dedicated, private space has been established in each partner school under the supervision of the head teachers. Since its launch, the Girls’ Closet has recorded 86 visits by students accessing sanitary pads or hygiene supplies. This initiative ensures discreet, continuous support throughout the school year.
  
  
• Attendance Monitoring:
  Teachers began tracking attendance to measure academic impact. Over the past two months, absenteeism among the 45 beneficiaries during their menstrual periods has dropped from an estimated 32% before the project to 11% after pad distribution and education sessions. This shows a clear shift in school participation linked to improved menstrual hygiene access.
  
  

Early findings therefore highlight a 66% reduction in menstrual-related absenteeism, demonstrating that the project is directly contributing to better school attendance and more consistent learning among participating girls.

Looking Ahead

Together, we have taken a bold and compassionate step toward transforming the menstrual hygiene experience for girls in Tinkong. This progress marks only the beginning. With your continued partnership, we can expand our reach, support more girls, and contribute meaningfully to ending period poverty one underserved community at a time.

Thank you for standing with United Way Ghana to promote education, dignity, and opportunity for every girl.

Menstrual hygiene may seem like a normal part of life for many girls, but for some girls in Tinkong, it has been a major barrier to education. Through United Way Ghana’s participation in the GlobalGiving Fundraising Program, this reality is beginning to change, thanks to you, our generous donor. We are proud to report that with your support, 41 schoolgirls in Tinkong have received access to sanitary pads, helping them stay in school during their menstrual periods. Of these, 20 girls are receiving a year’s supply, while 21 girls are receiving supplies for six months.

Although we reached 15.25% of our fundraising goal, your impact has been deeply transformational. One of our beneficiaries, Ama (not her real name), a 14-year-old student, shared how life-changing this support has been. She said: “Sometimes when my classmates talk about the comfort they feel using a sanitary pad, I could only imagine it. I have always used pieces of cloth. Using a pad for the first time is something I do not take for granted. Now I can join the conversation and truly understand the comfort it brings.”

Beyond the distribution of sanitary pads, we launched menstrual hygiene education sessions and introduced the Girls' Closet initiative, a safe and private space in schools where girls can access pads and essential self-care materials throughout the school year. Teachers are now tracking school attendance to assess the academic impact of the project. Early results are promising: beneficiaries are showing a marked reduction in absenteeism during their menstrual periods.

Together, we took a bold step to transform the menstrual hygiene experience for these girls, and it is only the beginning.  Thank you for choosing to partner with United Way Ghana to improve access to quality education and help end period poverty.