Plan International Ghana on Saturday distributed 1,000 reusable sanitary pads to female students of the Walewale Senior High/Technical School in the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region.The distribution formed part of Plan International Ghana's com­memoration of this year's World Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day Celebration held on the theme "Period Friendly Ghana."The Country Director of Plan International Ghana, Mr Constant Tchona said available data indi­cated that most schools lack basic facilities for menstrual hygiene management.He mentioned that changing spaces, running water, disposal systems, and menstrual products were some of the challenges facing the schools.Mr Tchona stated that men­struation was not a choice but rather a natural health part of life and added that Plan International Ghana over the years advocated tax removal on sanitary pads.The Country Director stated that they also trained women to produce reusable pads and also provided menstrual health educa­tion to the young ones.He added that menstruation remains a challenge forcing many young girls to seclusion, restricting their mobility and even keeping them out of school.Mr Tchona also stated that inadequate WASH facilities in schools remain a key driver of girls dropping out of school.Mr Tchona also called on more organisation to come to the aid of the little girls to give them sanitary pads since this was the time they needed them most.The North East Regional Min­ister, Ibrahim Tia, applauded the Plan International Ghana for their commitment to the development of communities in the West Mam­prusi Municipality.Mr Tia said many of the young girls were forced to miss school due to inadequate facilities, stigma and limited access to menstrual products.He said the visionary Free Sanitary Pad Distribution Policy recently introduced by President John Dramani Mahama would go a long way to reduce financial burden on parents, and increase school attendance among girls in the region. FROM YAHAYA NUHU NADAA, WALEWALE