A sum of $50 million is earmarked under the 2022 national budget for the advancement of the Office of the First Lady’s menstrual hygiene programme.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with the responsibility for Finance Dr Ashni Singh announced the funding for the programme during his presentation of the national budget on Wednesday.
In early 2021, First Lady Arya Ali launched the menstrual hygiene initiative, which was aimed at ending period poverty by making sanitary pads accessible to women and girls for free. Since the launch of the programme, thousands of girls in various regions have benefitted.
Singh stated, “In support of adolescent health, $50 million has been budgeted for advancement of the programme led by the Office of the First Lady on the promotion of menstrual hygiene and will benefit over 30,000 adolescent girls.”
Following the announcement of the planned allocation, a post to the First Lady’s official Facebook page, called the allocation, “A win for every girl child in Guyana.” The post stated that the programme started with fundraisers and donations through which the Office was able to provide one year’s supply of sanitary pads to every school aged girl that needs it.
It further stated, “Last year, my Office approached central government for funding for this aspect of the menstrual hygiene initiative to ensure the provision of sanitary pads was sustainable.”
To this end, the first lady stated that she is moved by the support that her office received for the initiative.
