Reflo Company Limited, a leading sanitary pads manufacturing company, in collaboration with the Florence Mensah Foundation, has distributed sanitary pads to head potters popularly known as kayayes in the Central Business District in commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child.
According to the companies, this initiative aims to address period poverty, where young ladies are unable to afford sanitary pads during their menstrual cycle.
Speaking to the media, a team member of Reflo Company Limited, Reflo Church Girl, indicated that the gesture is also to ensure menstrual hygiene.
“We are here to empower girls. Reflo Company Limited is committed to improving the lives of girls and women in Africa. We are working in tandem with SDG 5, which is promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. We have selected kayayes in the Accra central area to donate sanitary pads to them as well as educate them on menstrual hygiene and things connected to their reproductive health as women and girls.”
She also added her voice to calls for the government to reduce taxes on sanitary pads to make them affordable for young girls.
“This is a platform to rally behind legislators and people who are actually advocating for the tax reduction on sanitary pads. It’s a burden on manufacturers and people within the supply chain that the VAT percentage and export tax percentage on sanitary pads are so high. We as a company are adding our voices to this plea. It’s very uncomfortable and unheard of that people find it difficult to find products to help keep them clean and hygienic during their menstrual cycle.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, a nurse from the Lekma Hospital, Faustian Boamah, also advised the kayayes to desist from using rags in place of sanitary pads during their menstrual period, as that can affect their health.
“The most important thing is for them not to be using rags. There’s a need for them to use sanitary pads to prevent infection that can affect the reproductive system,” she added.