Unfortunately, menstrual practices are still clouded by socio-cultural and religious constraints in Ghana and this accentuates the need for adequate menstrual hygiene education. The effects of poor menstrual hygiene can lead to ill health, school absenteeism, and low self-confidence among others on the adolescent girl.
To eradicate the menace and stigmatization, the adolescent girl faces during menstruation, UNFPA in partnership with the Becca Hearts Foundation has organized a sensitization outreach in Jamestown,Accra. It targeted in-school adolescent girls and boys to sensitize them on menstrual hygiene management and also train boys as menstrual hygiene advocates to provide peer support to menstruating girls in school.
Welcoming the students, the Minister for Education, Hon. Dr. Mathew Opoku Prempeh stated that menstruation is a natural biological process experienced by all adolescent girls and it shouldn’t be treated as a taboo. He encouraged all girls saying, “Speak up, ask questions and don’t shy away from menstruation”.
The UNFPA Representative, Mr. Niyi Ojuolape laid emphasis on menstrual health as a right for girls just as the right to education and life. “Girls need the right information on their reproductive health and especially to understand their body before they reach puberty, so they don’t feel vulnerable at its onset of menarche”, he added.
The Deputy Minister for Gender Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP) insisted that it is time we shy away from old stereotypes in the society and that menstruation must not remain a myth. She said that 7 million girls in Ghana menstruate, but sadly it is not a topic for discussion. Also, parents must be responsible in supporting their girls during menstruation.
“The ministry will work with other stakeholders to ensure that the 20% tax on the importation of sanitary pads is reduced or eliminated. I will speak to the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to make sure government support local sanitary pads producers” she highlighted.
Ghanaian artiste Rebecca Acheampong, popularly known as Becca, officially launched the #IMenstruatetoo project by the Becca Hearts Foundation in collaboration with UNFPA. Acknowledging the support of all stakeholders, she stated that the outreach precedes the upcoming ones in the month of October 2019, which will be avenue to engage 2500 adolescents on menstrual hygiene practices.
The event featured a theatrical drama by “Theatre for Change” that depicted the socio-cultural and religious practices that marginalize girls. There was a panel discussion with representatives from UNFPA, Ghana Health Service, Days for Girls, an NGO and the Becca Hearts Foundation, to share insights and experiences, on comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), how to deal with poor menstrual hygiene and the socio-cultural factors that engender them.
The adolescent girls were presented with sanitary pads and Linda Sarpong, an eleven (11) year old student had this to share; “I feel very bold today... I have learnt about the reusable pads and how to keep myself clean and healthy during menstruation. I’m able to calculate my menstrual cycle”
The outreach gathered more than 520 adolescents within the ages of 9-15 years, from five different Junior high schools.
