Social innovations in addressing menstrual poverty in Africa: the menstrual cup intervention for girls in rural Ghana

Kofi Kyeremateng Nyanteng and Christine Garde Denning

Chapter 11 in The Elgar Companion to Social Innovation and the Sustainable Development Goals, 2026, pp 223-247 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: Menstrual poverty remains a critical yet under-addressed issue affecting millions of girls in low-resource settings, particularly in Africa. This study examines the role of social innovation in mitigating period poverty through the implementation of menstrual cups in rural Ghana. Conducted in the Wa East district, the intervention, led by CouldYou?, involved 2,000 girls and focused on the acceptability and the effects of the cup. Findings indicate a significant shift toward hygienic menstrual practices, with menstrual cup adoption reaching 97% and a marked decline in the use of unhygienic alternatives. The study underscores the effectiveness of community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and education in fostering menstrual health solutions. The results contribute to the discourse on sustainable, scalable interventions in menstrual health and provide evidence for policy recommendations aimed at addressing menstrual poverty. The study highlights the transformative potential of social innovation in advancing gender equality, education, and health outcomes in developing contexts.

Keywords: Menstrual Poverty; Social Innovation; Menstrual Health; Sustainable Development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781035326037
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