Salaga South MP supports celebration of 'International Day of the Girl Child' with call on gov't to scrap 15% Sanitary pad tax

Salaga South MP supports celebration of 'International Day of the Girl Child' with call on gov't to scrap 15% Sanitary pad tax

The Member of Parliament for the Salaga South Constituency in the Savannah Region, Hajia Zuwera Mohammed Ibrahima has extended logistical support to the East Gonja Municipal Education Directorate to aid the directorate celebrate this year's edition of the International Day of the Girl Child.

Celebrated annually on the 11th of October, the International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on highlighting the needs and challenges of the girl child and finding ways to promote girls empowerment and fulfilment of their human rights. 

The only female legislator in the Savannah Region in responding to an appeal from the Municipal Girls' Education Unit of the GES supported the sensitization exercise for selected female pupils organized by the Municipal Education Directorate with Seven boxes of Sanitary pads, water and other osorted items to aid this year's celebration. 

Donating the items on behalf of the MP, the NDC Constituency Executives led by the Constituency Chairman, Haruna Abdul Aziz pledged the commitment of the Member of Parliament towards empowering, inspiring and uplifting the education of girls in the Municipality.

He disclosed that about 64% of the MP's annual bursary for tertiary students had always been channeled towards female students with an advanced intention by the MP to explore more avenues to continue to support the education of the girl child in pursuit of higher education.

The Member of Parliament used the occasion to launch a passionate appeal on government to heed to the many calls from the public to remove the 15 percent Value Added Tax (VAT) on menstrual hygiene products(Sanitary pads and Tampons) to make them more affordable to the girl child and help eliminate some of barriers hindering the education of many girls across the country.

The Municipal Girl Child Education Officer, Madam Wecheng Amanda who led the celebration under the theme, "Our time is now, our rights, our future", expressed profound gratitude to the Member of Parliament for the continuous and timely support.

She said as part of activities marking the 2023 celebration, the directorate earlier on organized a float along the principal streets of Salaga aimed at creating awareness on girls' right and gender equality, alongside a role play on the dangers of earlier marriages and to cap it all, a debate on why parents must invest in the education of the girl child.

The compassionate female educator called on all stakeholders to continue to play their roles in securing the future of the girl child through accessible and quality education.

Source: Ananpansah Bartholomew Abraham