Birim Central Municipal NASPA Executives Lead Menstrual Hygiene Campaign.

Menstruation still appears to be a taboo subject in some parts of the world such that it is treated hush hush.

Most mothers do not openly have conversations about the subject matter with their girl children and even when they do, it does not extend to menstrual hygiene management.

Women and girls face numerous challenges with regards to their sexual and reproductive health as well as accessing services. Although there are efforts to improve educational opportunities for girls, one of the challenges they face is menstrual hygiene management and other pubertal changes.

Many studies have documented the impact of menstruation on the education of girls, with challenges of menstrual hygiene management and acquisition of sanitary towels affecting girls’ school attendance. It is reported that, some girls stayed away from school for up to five days in a month during their menstrual period. This setback leads many to fully withdraw from school altogether.

Creating a healthier, safer, and more equitable world in which women and girls are not stigmatized, excluded, or discriminated against merely because they menstruate, is a non-negotiable obligation for which everyone must take responsibility.

In view of that, the world commemorates Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28th May of every year to draw global attention to the issues women and girls face just to be women and girls.

Menstrual Hygiene day is observed on May 28th because the menstrual cycle is an average of 28 days and lasts for 5 days each month (May is the 5th month of the year).

 

The National Service Personals Association (NASPA) Birim Central Municipal Executives spearheaded the menstrual hygiene campaign in approximately four selected schools within the municipality in revere of 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day.

The Akyem Oda Anglican JHS, Birim M/A JHS, Islamic JHS, and St. Francis SHS were among the schools the association visited.

 

Addressing the media, the women Commissioner of the Association, Miss Rhonda Sintimaa  emphasized the significance of commemorating the Day, noting that it aims to break the stigma and taboo surrounding menstruation while also providing public education on the need for parents/guardians to act as agents of change by advocating for the continued provision of sanitary materials to all girls and women of reproductive age.

“This day is important. It highlights the need for girls and women to enjoy their right to health by using appropriate sanitary materials to protect themselves from infections,” she stated.

Miss Rhonda further indicated that the day presents an opportunity to demand increased resources for girls and women to have adequate access to sanitary towels and information regardless of wherever they find themselves.

Speaking about the challenges women and girls face during their menstrual periods, She indicated that the majority of girls and women suffer from menstrual pains which adversely affect their health, education, and economic independence.

Others may also not have the appropriate menstrual products such as sanitary pads to manage their periods,” she added.

The lack of sufficient menstrual hygiene materials, Miss Rhonda stated has a negative impact on women’s self-esteem, particularly girls and may impede their confidence in engaging with other people outside the home, at school, at work, and other public spaces.”

 

 

According to her, poor menstrual hygiene can lead to a variety of health problems, including fungal and bacterial infections of the reproductive tract and urinary tract, as well as rashes, all of which can contribute to future reproductive complications.

Lack of sanitary pads has been widely reported to be a major contributory factor to school absenteeism among girls in their menstrual period. Furthermore, research has documented menstruating girls’ experiences of shame, fear, and confusion across many communities in Ghana.

The challenges girls face attempting to manage their menstruation with insufficient information about their bodies, a lack of social support and ongoing social and hygiene taboos lead to a vicious cycle that affects the health and education of many girls in our communities.

She noted that, given the multiple challenges adolescent girls face, it is evident that promoting menstrual hygiene management is an important step towards safeguarding the dignity, bodily integrity, and overall life opportunities of girls.

She urges young girls to take good care of themselves throughout their menstrual cycle as a result.

She went on to say that since early sex can result in teenage pregnancy, young girls should exercise extreme caution when they approach adolescence.

 

The president of the Birim Central Municipal National Service Personals Association (NASPA), Miss Asare-Lar Abena Asabea, also mentioned that menstrual hygiene has evolved to be a serious issue that needs to be included in the curriculum.

 

 

She thus makes a plea to parents to ensure that their daughters receive excellent care throughout their adolescent years.

 

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