The Department of Social Welfare and Community Development in the Ayawaso North Municipal Assembly has distributed 300 sanitary pads to students in the municipality as part of activities to mark 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The event, held in Accra on Tuesday, aimed to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene management and promote the use of safe and clean menstrual products among schoolgirls.
The Senior Social Development Officer of the Social Welfare and Community Development Department, Madam Rosemond A. Opoku, emphasised the significance of the day, which is celebrated annually to address the challenges faced by girls who have no access to sanitary products.
She stated, “Menstrual Hygiene Day seeks to break the silence around periods, tackling the stigmatisation often associated with them and raise awareness of the importance of menstrual hygiene for women, girls, and people who menstruate around the world.”
Madam Opoku urged the girls to feel comfortable with menstruation, adding, “There is no shyness if you are a girl, you have to menstruate.”
She urged the students to dispel misconceptions about menstruation.
The Municipal Coordinating Director of the Ayawaso North Municipal Assembly, Mr. Jamani Dramani, emphasised the importance of open dialogue about menstrual health.
He stated, “Girls and women should be able to confidently talk about their menstrual health and hygiene without it becoming a barrier in their lives.”
He advised boys not to stigmatise girls during menstruation but to be supportive.
The students were encouraged to concentrate on their studies, pursue fulfilling careers and avoid unsafe sexual activities.
Participating schools included Model School, Ayeben, Kotobabi “13” JHS, Unity, Darul, Kanda Wilberforce and St. Francis Xavier in the Ayawaso North Assembly.
Patience Anaadem, ISD
