By Rachel Quartey & Rukayatu Musah
Government has reaffirmed its commitment to ending menstrual stigma and improving girls’ access to education through the newly launched Free Sanitary Pads Programme.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice President, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Madam Betty Mould-Iddrisu, emphasized that the government is working to make Ghana a truly period-friendly nation through sustained partnerships, strategic investments, and open cultural dialogue. She made the remarks at a special documentary screening, ‘Barred by Blood,’ held at the British High Commissioner’s Residence in Accra. It was to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025.
Set in Kyekyewere in the Central Region, the documentary – ‘Barred by Blood – The Cultural Chains Holding Back Girls in Kyekyewere,’ sheds light on the challenges adolescent girls face during menstruation in Kyekyewere. The documentary reveals that girls in Kyekyewere are prohibited from crossing the Offin River to attend school during their menstrual periods and on Tuesdays – in line with a long-standing taboo. As a result, there are times when some of the girls miss lessons and exams.
The film also highlights the difficulties pregnant women and lactating mothers face in accessing healthcare from across the river. Beyond cultural restrictions, access to sanitary pads in the community is a struggle, a situation that highlights the urgent need for improved social amenities and infrastructure.
A former Attorney-General and Justice, Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu, described the documentary as a ‘compelling call to action’.
She said, “Barred by Blood – The Cultural Chains Holding Back Girls in Kyekyewere, is more than a film. It is a window into the lived realities of girls who must navigate cultural taboos, inadequate infrastructure, and economic hardship just to access education during menstruation. It is a compelling call for all of us—government, communities, parents, partners—to act with urgency and resolve.”
Mrs. Betty Mould-Iddrisu also hailed the Vice President’s newly launched Free Sanitary Pads Programme, describing it as one of Ghana’s most comprehensive menstrual health initiatives. The programme is designed to enhance access, raise awareness, and empower girls across the country.
“On behalf of the Vice President, I wish to reaffirm that the NDC government is fully committed to dismantling these barriers. That is why, in a bold and necessary step, we have launched the Free Sanitary Pads Programme—one of the most extensive menstrual health initiatives in our nation’s history. This programme is designed to ensure that no girl is forced to stay out of school simply because she menstruates. We are delivering free sanitary pads to girls in basic and secondary schools across the country, while also investing in menstrual hygiene education and infrastructure,” Mrs. Mould-Iddrisu stated.
She emphasised that “menstruation is not a curse, not a taboo, and certainly not a reason for any girl to drop out of school. It is a natural part of life—and it must be treated as such, with dignity, education, and care.”
“As we reflect on what we have seen tonight, may it strengthen our collective resolve to build a Period-Friendly Ghana, where no girl is barred by blood, and where every girl can walk confidently into a future of equal opportunity,” she further said.
The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, said the documentary reflects the harsh realities faced by marginalized communities.
A representative of the British High Commission in Ghana, Samina Bardier encouraged families to break the silence around menstruation, promote open discussions, and support efforts aimed at empowering girls.
The Member of Parliament for Upper Denkyira East, Emelia Ankomah, appealed to traditional leaders to consider performing the necessary rituals to appease the river gods to help bring an end to these culturally imposed restrictions.
