Policy | Society

01 Feb 10

The trial used a sample group from four Ghanian villages

An Oxford study has shown that by providing free sanitary protection at secondary schools in Ghana, girls missed ‘significantly less’ school. On average, the rate of absenteeism over six months was cut by slightly more than half, from about 21 per cent of school days to about nine per cent of school days.

The research team found that when schoolgirls received free sanitary pads and education, the girls reported being able to concentrate better in classes, greater overall confidence, and an increased participation in other activities, such as household chores and socialising outside the home.

The trial used a sample group of 183 schoolgirls in four Ghanian villages. In two test villages the girls were given not only sanitary pads but also education about feminine hygiene. This group was compared with girls from another village, provided only with hygiene education, and a ‘control’ group from another village where there was no intervention by researchers.

In the village where education only was provided, there was also a reduction in absenteeism but the effect was delayed.

The international aid community has considered the potentially positive effects of providing sanitary products but this is the first empirical research to investigate the question. The study provides recommendations for policy makers and NGOs in developing countries on how to fund and implement a programme to provide sanitary protection and how to dispose of the pads with minimal environmental impact.

The research was led by Professor Linda Scott and colleagues of Saïd Business School in collaboration with Dr Paul Montgomery at the Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention at the University of Oxford.  

Professor Scott said: ‘Poor girls often have no access to sanitary products and as a result often because of embarrassment they don’t go to school, can’t concentrate and in some cases drop out completely. This simple contributory factor can have a big impact on whether they go to school or not. However, the onset of menstruation itself puts the education of the girls at risk. There is evidence to show that it can lead to sudden pressure to marry, sexual harassment, to leave the community to find work, or the withdrawal of economic support from the family.’

Dr Paul Montgomery, Reader in Psycho-Social Intervention, said: ‘The potential impact of this study for the life chances is profound, as it is already well known that it is women who are main players in driving economic development in many parts of Africa.

‘While it is important to recognise that the provision of sanitary protection is important, the study also reveals the value of education about the onset of puberty, particularly in relation to menstruation and hygiene. While we think this education may not be sufficient in itself, it is essential that it is provided.’

In a separate part of the study, the researchers also explored, through interviews and focus groups, to what extent the education of schoolgirls was disrupted by having periods. They interviewed 200 people – girls, teachers and parents – to discover that girls missed as many as five days a month because of a lack of sanitary protection and education about menstruation. Girls living in rural villages were more affected with no or inadequate toilet facilities, no privacy and long walks to and from school.