Kaddy Jawo

Story: The report investigates how poverty, stigma, myths, and lack of access to menstrual hygiene products force many schoolgirls in The Gambia to miss school, fall behind academically, or drop out altogether. In rural regions especially, girls often can’t afford sanitary pads. Some schools don’t have reliable water, private latrines, or even knowledge about menstrual hygiene. Cultural taboos mean that some girls are ashamed to use pads or to ask for help, and some parents teach myths about pads being unsafe or tied to loss of virginity.

Published in: October 28, 2025