Anger is boiling across Senegal following revelations of an alleged sanitary pad scandal that has sparked nationwide debate around accountability, women’s health, and government oversight.

According to reports by BBC Africa and Al Jazeera, the controversy centers on claims that substandard or diverted sanitary products—meant to support girls and women, especially in schools and low-income communities—were mishandled, mismanaged, or failed to reach their intended beneficiaries.

Reuters notes that activists and civil society groups have taken to social media and public forums, demanding transparency and calling the situation a “betrayal of trust,” particularly at a time when menstrual health advocacy is gaining momentum across Africa.

Local media outlets in Senegal report that protests and heated public discussions have intensified, with women’s rights organizations urging the government to conduct a full investigation and publish findings without delay.

As pressure mounts, the scandal has become more than a supply issue—it has ignited a broader conversation about governance, dignity, and access to basic healthcare for women and girls in Senegal.