The Global Midwife with Sarah NKANSAH BOATENG: Ending the stigma: Promoting #period-friendly nation

As a midwife and founder of Nkansahs Foundation, I work with girls in urban and rural areas. Many cannot afford sanitary pads. They often use unsafe alternatives like rags and paper. This increases their risk of infections and long-term health issues.

Since 2018, our FlowClean Project has trained over 230 girls. We have also distributed more than 50,000 disposable pads. However, individual efforts are not enough. We need coordinated national action on menstrual health.

Menstrual health should be part of public policies and school programs. Educating girls and providing safe products is a low-cost solution. It can promote gender equality, improve education, and enhance reproductive health.

On Menstrual Hygiene Day, let’s break the silence around this issue. We must challenge the stigma surrounding menstruation. Every girl deserves to manage her period with pride, not shame.

When menstrual health is prioritized, every girl can thrive. Sarah is a midwife and advocate for reproductive health. She hosts 'Talk to Your Midwife' to share important information on these topics.