By Rihana Adam
Accra, Oct. 15, GNA- Amnesty International (AI) Ghana a Non-governmental organisation has called on government to remove taxes on sanitary products.
The organisation said currently many Ghanaians girls could not afford to buy sanitary pads due to the taxes imposed on it.
It said by eliminating equal taxes of menstrual products and promoting domestic sanitary production would be a significant stride towards ending menstrual period.
Madam Genevieve Partington Country Director AI Ghana speaking at the 2024 MenstruART exhibitions held at the Mix Design Hub in Osu-Accra said “lack of access to menstrual products, proper sanitation and education about menstrual hygiene continued to hinder the ability of girls to fully participate in school and societal activities.”
She said in Ghana and globally, period poverty and stigma around Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) hindered progress towards gender equality.
Adding, “myths, cultural taboos and stigma make it challenging for women and girls to discuss menstruation freely.”
She said, “I will like to appeal to government to make sanitary products tax exempted in Ghana because import taxes on sanitary care products reduce access for those in poverty.”
She expressed gratitude to participants this year’s exhibition.
She said “your contribution has brought these critical issues in ways where words alone cannot emphasise”
The 2024 AI Ghana MenstruART competition was an initiative that aimed at highlighting menstrual issues through immersive art experience and advocates for the end of period poverty.
Over forty people took part in this year’s MenstruArt competition where Abenaoyiwaa emerged the winner.
She took a cheque for GHS 10, 000 and also certificates were awarded to the first 10 artists.
GNA