Former Centre for the History of Medicine MA student, Meg Boatemaa Asare undertook a research project in Ghana in June 2024 funded by Wellcome with the aim of combating period poverty by: providing sustainable menstrual products; educating girls in school on menstrual hygiene and creating an open dialogue about menstruation; and seeking to advocate for policy changes at local government levels to ensure menstrual health support in schools and public spaces.

The project was carried out over two weeks in two different regions in Ghana: 3 community schools in Kumasi and 2 schools in Accra. Notable successes were the establishment of emergency pad banks in schools ensuring no girl misses school due to the unavailability of menstrual products; and the inclusion of men and boys in menstrual health education sessions helping foster a broader cultural change toward a more inclusive perspective on menstrual health.

A full write-up of the project is available here, and Meg has recorded a short documentary about her time in Ghana.