THE Menstrual Hygiene Initiative being undertaken by First Lady Arya Ali to end period poverty in Guyana was on Thursday given a significant boost when GAICO Construction & General Services Inc donated $1 million worth of sanitary pads.

This disclosure was made at the company’s 30th Anniversary and Award Ceremony which was held at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston.

The First Lady thanked the construction giant for its support which will help remove barriers to accessing basic sanitary products for girls and allow them to exercise their reproductive rights.

Last year, she announced her intention to end period poverty in Guyana, an issue which adversely affects women and girls in the hinterland, and restricts access to education.

Sanitary pads are currently being distributed in secondary schools across all 10 administrative regions. More than 30,000 students will receive one year’s supply of pads.

The First Lady had also highlighted that the initiative started with a focus on school-aged girls, many of whom were unable to attend school when they had their menstruation because they either could not afford it or had no access to sanitary products.

With full coverage provided to all school-aged girls, attention will now be on providing sanitary products to women in vulnerable situations, with the aim of expanding coverage countrywide.

In the long term, the project seeks to ensure that every woman and girl in Guyana is provided with free sanitary products.