Alive Ghana
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection yesterday marked the World Menstrual Hygiene Day. It was to join the rest of the world in raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and also change negative social norms around it.
Each year 28th May is set aside to increase awareness about menstrual hygiene and advocate for an end to menstrual poverty.
This year’s theme, “Period Friendly World,” underscores the need for collective action to ensure everyone who menstruates can manage their periods with dignity and proper resources.
The theme emphasizes the urgency of this public health issue and highlights the importance of menstrual hygiene in empowering women and girls, enabling them to seize educational and economic opportunities.
At a symposium held in various schools across Accra, including Accra Wesley Girls Senior High School, St. Joseph Anglican Church, and South Labone Girls Technical Institute, menstrual sanitary pads were distributed to students.
The sector Minister Hon. Dakoa Newman, stressed that proper menstrual hygiene was vital to prevent infections and certain diseases.
By providing access to affordable menstrual products, young girls’ health and well-being she said are safeguarded, allowing them to attend school and participate in daily activities with dignity.
Hon. Newman called for continuous education and sensitization of stakeholders, including community leaders, parents, teachers, and girls, to foster a positive perception of menstruation.
She also highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing efforts through “HeForShe” campaigns and male engagement programs, which involve men and boys in promoting gender equality and women’s sexual and reproductive health rights.
According to her, in some societies, menstruation is viewed as impure, leading to a lack of open discussion about menstrual hygiene.
Hon. Newman urged traditional rulers to engage in conversations about healthy practices for girls.
She also encouraged parents to educate their daughters about bodily changes during adolescence, while complementing teachers’ efforts.
She noted that the Ministry was committed to advancing the sexual and reproductive health rights of girls, to improve school retention and completion rates, thus enabling girls to reach their full potential and contribute to national development.
After visiting Accra Psychiatric Hospital to donate some sanitary pads, the Minister’s activities continued with the second lady, Mrs. Samira Bawumia, at Odorgonno Senior High School, where the second lady donated 5,000 packs of sanitary pads to schools in the Ga Central Municipal Assembly.
The team also visited the Nsawam Female Prison to distribute additional sanitary pads to inmates.
In total, the Ministry, alongside Hon. Dakowa Newman, donated 5,000 packs of sanitary pads to commemorate the Menstrual Hygiene Day.
BY: Beyonce Diamond Kpogli
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