NAGRAT & Steve Sinnott Foundation train girls in how to produce reusable sanitary pads

In Ghana, thousands of girls miss school every year due to a lack of access to affordable menstrual products, which leads to absenteeism and compromised education.

To address this issue, the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), in collaboration with the Steve Sinnott Foundation, has organized a three-day training program focused on creating reusable sanitary pads.

The training began on Monday, March 10, 2025, and targets selected female teachers and schoolgirls across the Wa Metropolitan area. The aim is to reduce school absenteeism among girls due to menstruation.

 

 

Rebecca Ocran Abaidoo, the National Gender Desk Coordinator of NAGRAT, highlighted the importance of the training and advised the girls against trading their bodies for sanitary pads.

“Nobody has the right to touch our bodies. We must stand firm and say, ‘Don’t touch me’. Just as a male teacher would not allow anyone to molest his daughter, we too must refuse to be perpetrators of this crime,” she stated.

She encouraged participants to take the training seriously in order to gain the necessary knowledge and skills.

Harrun Ussfi Kadiri, the Upper West Regional Chairman of NAGRAT, emphasized that menstrual health is a crucial aspect of well-being, yet it is often surrounded by silence, misinformation, and barriers to proper care.

He added that this training would help change that mentality by equipping girls with the skills and confidence to make their own reusable pads.

“It must be noted that Upper West is the second of the 16 regions to host this training, and we commend the support and efforts of NAGRAT and the Steve Sinnott Foundation,” he stated.

Razak Korah, the Upper West Regional Director of Education, mentioned that the training will help improve menstrual hygiene management, reduce the risk of reproductive tract infections, and increase school attendance and retention rates among girls.

He also noted that it will enhance the dignity and self-esteem of girls and women.

“Unfortunately, many of our girls and women lack access to affordable and hygienic menstrual products, which leads to absenteeism, discomfort, and embarrassment in our schools,” he remarked.

The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to NAGRAT and the Steve Sinnott Foundation for their tireless efforts in organizing such a valuable training program

 

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