IWD 2025: ECOWAS Launches Sanitary Towel Production Unit in Senegal, Reinforces Commitment to Women’s Dignity.

By Raymond Enoch

The celebration of International Women’s Day 2025 took on an added significance this year, as the ECOWAS Centre for Gender Development (CCDG) unveiled a new initiative aimed at improving the lives of women and girls across West Africa.

This initiative, announced on March 5, coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 50th anniversary of ECOWAS.

The event centered around the creation of a production unit for reusable sanitary towels in Senegal, a move that promises to address two critical issues: gender inequality and environmental sustainability. The project is part of ECOWAS’s broader vision for economic empowerment and social protection for women and girls in the region.

The celebration which took place at the Azalaï Hotel in Dakar, was attended by key figures including the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Senegal, the Commissioner for Development and Social Affairs of the ECOWAS Commission, as well as representatives from civil society organizations, GIZ, and various ministries. Among the highlights was the signing of a Partnership Agreement between ECOWAS and the Ministry for the Family and Solidarity of the Republic of Senegal, aimed at supporting the establishment of the production unit.

The decision to create a unit dedicated to the production of reusable sanitary towels comes in response to a host of challenges facing women and girls in the region. For many, a lack of access to affordable and sustainable hygiene products has forced them to miss school and work, exacerbating gender inequality. Teen girls, in particular, often suffer due to the lack of proper sanitary products, resulting in repeated school absences that affect their academic performance and future opportunities. In addition, disposable sanitary towels, which are commonly used, contribute to significant environmental waste, a concern that this new initiative seeks to mitigate by promoting reusable and durable alternatives.

“The establishment of this unit is not only about providing hygiene products; it’s also about creating jobs and fostering economic empowerment,” said the Director of the CCDG. “This is a solution that addresses both gender equity and environmental sustainability.”

The project, which will also include the production of reusable nappies for elderly people affected by incontinence, is expected to make a lasting impact by improving health outcomes and school attendance for girls, while also offering work placements for young women and helping to reduce the region’s ecological footprint. As part of the wider vision, three such production units will eventually be established in the ECOWAS region, with the Senegalese initiative serving as a model.

Beyond the ceremony, the event featured testimonials from women working in various sectors, including care for the elderly and obstetric fistula patients. Their stories underscored the importance of the initiative in addressing not only the practical needs of women and girls but also their rights to dignity, equality, and justice.

The launch of the reusable sanitary towel production unit aligns with the broader goals set forth in the Beijing Declaration, which advocates for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It also stands as a testament to the ongoing commitment of ECOWAS to improving the lives of women across West Africa, reinforcing the importance of both individual and collective actions in advancing the region’s social and economic development.

As ECOWAS continues to champion the rights of women and girls, this initiative serves as a crucial step toward ensuring that no girl is left behind due to a lack of proper hygiene products, and no woman is excluded from the benefits of economic empowerment.

The event concluded with a call to action, urging stakeholders to ensure that reusable sanitary towels become readily available in schools, universities, and training centers across the region, marking a significant milestone in the journey toward gender equality in West Africa.