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Transcript/ScriptGHANA SANITARY PAD TAX (TV/R)
HEADLINE: Ghana’s Tax on Sanitary Pads Deprives Girls of Education
TEASER: Activists call for tax exemption for pads to end “Period Poverty”
PUBLISHED AT: 2/27/23 7:50
BYLINE: Senanu Tord
DATELINE: KPONG, GHANA
VIDEOGRAPHER: Senanu Tord
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Schearf, Page
VIDEO SOURCE(S): VOA Original
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV X RADIO X
TRT: 2:39
VID APPROVED BY: MP
TYPE: TVPKG/RADIO
EDITOR NOTES: Radio intros in script below for Production to version for radio ))
((INTRO))
[[Ghana increased already high taxes on imported goods this year, making sanitary pads unaffordable to vulnerable women and girls who are then forced to skip school during their periods. Activists are calling for the taxes to be scrapped and are also producing locally made, biodegradable pads so girls and women don't miss out on education. Senanu Tord reports from Kpong, Ghana.]]
((NARRATOR))
Ghana’s increased taxes on imported goods passed 40 percent this year, making sanitary pads unaffordable to many school-age girls and women.
School officials say females skip classes during their periods, about 40 days per year, to avoid embarrassment when makeshift pads, such as cloths, leak.
The loss of education can hold girls and women back economically, a cycle known as “period poverty.”
((RADIO INTRO: Mary Afrim oversees school health education at the M/A EP Basic school in Kpong, a town about two hours east of Accra.))
((Mary Afrim, M/A EP Basic School) (English 18 secs))
“We have a lot of girls. Mostly, our school has the girls population more than the boys, and academically, the girls perform more than the boys. So if these menstrual issues will be picking them away from the class, it is a major concern so we need something to be done.”
((NARRATOR))
The Ghana Girl Guides, a Girl Scouts’ partner, has petitioned the government and parliament since 2019, urging leaders to scrap taxes on sanitary pads.
((RADIO INTRO: Chief Commissioner Zakiya Abdul Wahab says forcing girls to skip class costs Ghana more than the funds received from taxing the pads.))
((Zakiya Abdul Wahab, Ghana Girl Guides Chief Commissioner)) (English 17 secs))
“As much as they are giving us excuses with the current situation with the economy and all that, I don't think that is helping us. Because the ripple effect of the girl not being able to get the sanitary pad will cause more economic issues for the country if we don't address it as early as we can.”
((NARRATOR))
Ghana’s female lawmakers say there is not enough political will to waive taxes on sanitary pads.
((RADIO INTRO: Lawmaker Abla Dzifa Gomeshie says they are waiting for Menstrual Hygiene Day, May 28, to push the issue.))
((Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Ketu South Lawmaker) (English, ?? secs))
“We must sustain the pressure. I have discussed this with many people. I am on the inside, and working with those outside. There are some things I can do on the inside but I need people from outside to help me.”
((NARRATOR))
The Research and Counseling Foundation for African Migrants (RECFAM) has found another way to address the high cost of imported pads.
The aid group makes them locally, out of biodegradable banana tree fiber, for about half the price, for rural schoolgirls and women.
But, without more sponsorship, the increased taxes this year could force them to stop producing.
((RADIO INTRO: Alfred Mbinglo is the group’s executive director.))
((Alfred Mbinglo, RECFAM) (English, 20 secs))
“The high cost of materials, especially the imported materials that we have. Like for example, we just upgraded our facility, got the machines, but then the materials are almost outdated so we can't use it anymore. And to import them, with the tax increment and all of that we cannot do anything.”
((NARRATOR))
Supporters say the long-term solution to keep vulnerable girls and women in school is to keep pushing Ghana’s lawmakers until they agree to a tax waiver on sanitary pads.
((Senanu Tord, for VOA News, Kpong, Ghana.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)
KPONG, GHANA
Embargo DateFebruary 27, 2023 19:57 EST
Byline
((Senanu Tord, for VOA News, Kpong, Ghana.))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
