In a collaboration aimed at championing menstrual hygiene and eliminating period poverty, Kenyan Senator Gloria Orwoba arrived in Ghana to partner with the Kuffuor Foundation, a leading organization dedicated to social development in Ghana.
As a passionate advocate for women’s rights and menstrual health, Senator Orwoba’s visit to Ghana signifies a significant step toward addressing the issue of period poverty across Africa.
It will be recalled that Senator Gloria Orwoba was sacked from parliament after she encountered a sudden period that stained her clothing while on duty as a parliamentarian. Through that incident, she saw the heightened need to advocate against period shaming and enforce stringent measures to eliminate period poverty in Kenya and in Africa.
With a shared vision, they are determined to make a lasting impact and empower women and girls through menstrual hygiene initiatives. Arriving in Ghana, Senator Orwoba together with Catherine Afeku, Minister of State at the Office of the President, met with journalists and period advocates who are at the forefront of the fight against period poverty. The meeting which took place at the Africa Continental Free Trade Area office highlighted the urgency of breaking the silence surrounding menstruation, emphasizing the need for open dialogue and support.
Their collaborative efforts centred on advocating for local production and tax exemptions to ensure the accessibility and affordability of menstrual hygiene products. Recognizing the fundamental importance of affordability and accessibility, they discussed measures to enhance local manufacturing while ensuring that quality products reach every woman and girl in need.
Senator Orwoba expressed, “We need to empower our communities to produce their own sanitary towels. Local manufacturing allows us to address the issue of affordability and availability effectively. It’s time to invest in our own resources and uplift our women and girls.”
She stressed the importance of homegrown solutions to address period poverty in Africa by underscoring the need to invest in local manufacturing, which would not only generate employment opportunities but also ensure the continuous supply of high-quality and affordable menstrual hygiene products
Echoing the sentiment, Catherine Afeku emphasized, “There is the need to remove taxes on local production. By removing taxes on local production of menstrual hygiene products, we can create an enabling environment for sustainable change. Our goal is to make these essential products accessible to all women and girls, regardless of their socio-economic backgrounds. With passionate advocates like Senator Gloria joining forces with organizations like the Kuffuor Foundation, the future holds promise for a continent where menstrual hygiene is no longer a barrier but a catalyst for empowerment, equality, and progress.”
According to Catherine Afeku, Senator Gloria Orwoba’s partnership with the Kuffuor Foundation represents a groundbreaking step toward creating a society where menstruation is embraced, understood, and met with dignity.
Their collaboration aims to provide girls with uninterrupted access to menstrual hygiene products, enabling them to stay in school, pursue their dreams, and break the cycle of poverty.
As Senator Gloria continues her visit to Ghana she strives to ignite a continent-wide movement that will eradicate period poverty, promote menstrual equity, and ensure that no woman or girl is left behind.
