Handmade in Ghana

Obaa Reusable Pads

Sustainable period care handcrafted by Ghanaian women. Each purchase funds menstrual education and provides pads to schoolgirls across the Volta Region.

3-year lifespan100% reinvestedZero plastic

The Period Poverty Crisis

In rural Ghana, many girls miss 3-5 school days monthly due to lack of sanitary products. Disposable pads cost GHS 15-25 monthly — unaffordable for families earning less than GHS 300 monthly.

Disposables also create environmental disaster: 300+ pads per girl yearly, all plastic waste that does not biodegrade. Burning them releases toxins; burying them poisons soil.

Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2023

By the Numbers

Girls missing school monthly: 950,000+
Annual disposable pad cost: GHS 180-300
Pads to landfill (yearly): 200 million+
Decomposition time: 500-800 years

From 166 Girls to a Movement

Obaa Pads began in July 2018 in Adaklu Waya, Volta Region. What started as a pilot program with 166 girls has grown into a sustainable social enterprise.

2018

The Beginning

First pad-making workshop with 166 girls. Local women trained as seamstresses. Pilot proved: reusables work in rural Ghana.

2020

Refining Design

Triple-layer core developed through user feedback. Leak-proof PUL backing added. Organic cotton top layer sourced locally.

Today

Scaling Impact

12 seamstresses employed full-time. 2,000+ girls reached. Partnerships with 15+ schools. Artisan cooperative model established.

Designed for Performance

Every Obaa Pad is engineered for maximum absorbency and comfort. The triple-layer core handles heavy flow while the leak-proof backing keeps you protected.

Crafted from locally-sourced organic cotton and assembled by skilled seamstresses in our Accra workshop.

Handcrafted Obaa Pads made by Ghanaian seamstresses

Triple-Layer Core

Three ultra-absorbent inner layers for complete protection through every stage of your cycle.

Leak-Proof Barrier

Waterproof PUL backing prevents leaks, allowing you to move with total confidence.

Organic Cotton

Breathable, cloud-soft cotton top layer gentle on skin and free from chemicals.

3-Year Lifespan

One Obaa Pad replaces hundreds of disposables. Wash, dry, and reuse for years.

Health Advantages

No chemicals: Free from dioxins, fragrances, and synthetic materials found in disposables
Breathable: Natural cotton reduces heat and moisture buildup, lowering infection risk
Hypoallergenic: Ideal for sensitive skin and those with allergies to plastic/disposable materials
pH balanced: Cotton maintains natural pH better than plastic barriers

Better for Your Body

Disposable pads contain plastics, synthetic fibers, and chemical absorbents that can irritate sensitive skin. Many women experience rashes, itching, and discomfort — often accepting it as normal.

Obaa Pads use only organic cotton, breathable PUL (not PVC), and natural fibers. No fragrances. No bleaching chemicals. Just clean, comfortable protection that works with your body.

Obaa Pad product layers showing organic cotton and leak-proof design

Common Concerns, Answered

Washing Made Simple

The 4-step routine takes 5 minutes and becomes automatic after one cycle. Proper washing ensures hygiene and extends pad life to 3+ years.

Step 01

Cold Rinse

Rinse in cold water immediately after use to prevent staining

Step 02

Gentle Wash

Hand wash with mild soap or machine gentle cycle

Step 03

Sun Dry

Hang in direct sunlight for natural sanitization

Step 04

Store Ready

Fold and store in clean, dry cotton pouch

The Science of Clean

Cold water first: Prevents protein stains from setting. Hot water locks in blood stains.
Mild soap only: Harsh detergents break down cotton fibers and PUL backing over time.
Sun UV sterilization: Ghana's sunlight provides natural antibacterial action. 3-4 hours sufficient.
No fabric softener: Coats fibers and reduces absorbency. Not needed for natural cotton.

Environmental Impact

Every Obaa Pad purchase is a vote for sustainable menstrual health — reducing waste, carbon footprint, and environmental burden on Ghana's communities.

328Disposables saved

One Obaa Pad replaces 328 disposable pads over its lifetime

GHS 150Annual savings

Compared to buying monthly disposable packs

0Plastic waste

100% biodegradable cotton and PUL components

3 yearsLifespan

With proper care and washing routine

Real-World Usage

School Days

All-day comfort for 8+ hours of classes without changing. Discrete carry pouch fits in school bag.

Heavy Flow

Use overnight pads or layer 2 regular pads for maximum protection on heavy days.

Hot Climate

Cotton breathes in Ghana's heat, unlike plastic disposables that trap heat and moisture.

First Periods

Soft cotton is gentle for young girls. Teaching care routines builds lifelong hygiene habits.

Ghanaian seamstress handcrafting Obaa Reusable Pads

Crafted with Dignity

Every Obaa Pad is stitched by one of 12 seamstresses in our Accra workshop. Fair wages. Dignified work. Economic empowerment in action.

Our seamstresses receive vocational training, health benefits, and a living wage — creating a ripple effect of positive change in their families and communities.