By: Staff Writer
PAYNESVILLE — In a landmark move to promote menstrual hygiene and gender equity, Paynesville Mayor Robert Bestman has announced a forthcoming municipal ordinance requiring all major public venues—including entertainment centers, schools, churches, and mosques—to provide free sanitary pads in women’s restrooms.
The ordinance, currently under final review, is expected to be formally enacted later this month. Non-compliant establishments may face penalties ranging from fines to possible closure.
Mayor Bestman made the announcement as a special guest speaker at the 2nd Annual Women’s Health Conference, held recently at Paynesville Town Hall. Emphasizing the urgency of the issue, he described menstrual hygiene as a basic health necessity.
“It’s going to be mandatory in this city that every entertainment center, mosque, church, or other major public venue must stock sanitary pads in female restrooms as part of standard toiletry provisions,” he stated.
The mayor criticized some institutions, particularly schools, for failing to provide these essential supplies despite collecting fees from parents. He also cited concerns over unhygienic restroom conditions in many public spaces.
To ensure effective enforcement, Mayor Bestman has called on civil society organizations—especially women’s health advocates like the Women Well-Being Initiative (WWBI)—to monitor compliance and report violations.
As part of its ongoing advocacy, WWBI recently marked World Menstrual Hygiene Day by distributing more than 300 sanitary pads to students.
The organization also hosted awareness sessions on proper menstrual hygiene practices and appealed for logistical support from the national government, NGOs, and healthcare partners to expand their initiative beyond Montserrado County.
If adopted, Paynesville’s ordinance would make the city one of the first municipalities in Liberia to legislate access to menstrual hygiene products in public facilities—a move that could inspire national-level policies aimed at improving menstrual equity and reducing the stigma surrounding menstruation.
