Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister-designate for Gender, Children and Social Protection, has promised to advocate for tax-waivers on sanitary pads to make them affordable for women and girls, especially those in rural areas.
Speaking during her vetting by parliament’s Appointments Committee, she identified the high cost of sanitary pads as a major challenge keeping many adolescent girls out of school during menstruation.
“Many families cannot afford sanitary pads – and when forced to choose between food and pads, they choose food. This situation is making girls more vulnerable,” she said.
Naa Momo Lartey pointed to data from the UNFPA which show that some girls are exploited by men who provide them with these basic necessities.
She pledged to work with the finance minister on introducing policies that will encourage local production of sanitary pads and remove taxes on their production and sale.
“We need to support local manufacturers to produce on a large scale while making these products affordable for all,” she added.
Additionally, Lartey expressed her commitment to reviving social intervention programmes such as distribution of free sanitary pads to schoolgirls, a policy she described as critical to improving education and reducing vulnerability.
“This is a conversation we must keep having until real change is made,” she emphasised.
Also, she proposed waiving taxes on locally manufactured sanitary pads to make them more affordable while encouraging local production. She noted that discussions are already underway and vowed to collaborate with the finance minister to introduce policies that support local manufacturers and prioritise the needs of vulnerable girls.
Responding to concerns about balancing attention between men’s and women’s issues, she stated that the ministry’s focus is on correcting all forms of imbalance – regardless of gender.
“Wherever there is a disadvantage, the ministry will ensure proper implementation of policies to address it. The Affirmative Action Act is a critical tool in ensuring gender-sensitive policies and practices across all sectors; and the law is designed to address imbalances and provide opportunities for disadvantaged groups, including men where necessary,” she assured.
Touching on her association with women-focused organisations, she credited them for shaping her activism and experience, assuring the committee of her commitment to gender equity and social protection.
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