Empower Girls in Ghana with Reusable Sanitary Pads

Helping Girls Manage Menstruation with Dignity

For many adolescent girls in rural communities, menstruation is a difficult monthly experience. The cost of disposable sanitary pads, limited access to menstrual hygiene information, and the absence of private and reliable menstrual products make it difficult for girls to manage their periods safely and confidently.

In response, with donor support, Friends of Adaklu (FOA) donated 200 Reusable Volta Pads to vulnerable adolescent girls in Ghana's Adaklu District. This initiative helps girls access a menstrual product they can use repeatedly for two (2) years.

The donation helps address everyday challenges girls face during menstruation. For families already struggling to meet basic household needs, buying disposable sanitary pads every month adds another financial burden. Some girls consequently miss school, stay at home, or feel anxious and uncomfortable during their periods.

By providing reusable pads, FOA helps reduce this recurring cost and gives girls a more dependable option for managing their menstruation. Beyond providing pads, the initiative also creates opportunities to talk with girls about menstrual health, hygiene, confidence, and the importance of staying in school during their periods.

One of the most important aspects of this initiative is the Volta Pad's reusability and durability. Unlike disposable pads that are used once and thrown away, reusable pads can be washed, cared for, and used repeatedly.

This means that one pad can support a girl through two (2) years of menstrual cycles instead of becoming waste after a single use. For communities where access to affordable menstrual products remains a challenge, this provides a longer-term solution while reducing menstrual waste entering the environment.

Why We Need to Reach More Girls

Although donating 200 Volta Pads is an important step, the need extends far beyond the girls reached through this intervention. Many adolescent girls in other communities continue to face the same challenges every month.

FOA would like to take this initiative to more schools, communities, and vulnerable girls across the district and beyond. With additional support, we can provide more reusable pads, strengthen menstrual health education, and reach girls who may otherwise continue to miss school or struggle to manage their periods with dignity.

We believe that no girl should have to choose between her education and her menstrual period.

We are calling on individuals, organizations, donors, and partners to help expand this initiative. Your support can help us put a durable menstrual hygiene solution in more girls' hands, reduce financial pressure on vulnerable families, keep girls in school, and contribute to a cleaner environment.

Links:

• Volta Pads Website