Menstruation Poverty in The Gambia and its Impact on Girls Education and Sexual Health.
Gender inequalities take different shapes in societies around the world. One of these
inequalities the least addressed is certainly the heavy burden that young girls must carry in
patriarchal and gerontocratic social systems that marginalize them twice, for being young and
female.
As the Gambian American Foundation works for gender equity, it has decided to tackle
one important and often missed nuisance for young girls in The Gambia: Period Poverty – the
lack of access to menstrual supplies. Menstruation or period poverty has dramatic
consequences on young girls’ lives as it prevents their academic success and harms their sexual
health.
In The Gambia, many young girls experience period poverty. The most disadvantaged among
them are unable to afford the cost of sanitary pads. This results in reduced school attendance
during one’s period, which negatively impacts academic work and results. The lack of access to
sanitary pad can lead to infections that impair sexual health.
The Gambian American Foundation aims to help school age girls gain access to menstrual
supplies on a regular basis, both at schools and at home. No girl-child’s academic and sexual
health should be negatively impacted because of lack of access to menstrual supplies. Help us
change this reality by donating to the GAF on this website!