Baawapa Foundation, known for its commitment to empowering the underprivileged has commemorated the World Menstrual Hygiene Day with a symposium and donation of pads to learners of Fort Amsterdam Basic School and Beach Road Basic School, all in Saltpond in the Central Region.
The event, focused on raising awareness and promoting proper menstrual hygiene practices among young adolescent girls took place at the Hammond Hall in Saltpond in the Mfantsiman Municipality.
The occasion highlighted a series of interactive sessions led by the Mfantsiman Director of Education, girl child coordinator, educators, and community leaders.
Speaking to the learners, Mrs. Betty Kurentsiwa Smith, the Municipal Director for Education in the Mfantsiman municipality, indicated that blood flow is a result of chemical processes or hormonal changes which occur in women’s lives.
She underscored the need for girls to ensure high personal hygiene to prevent odour from unattended menses.
Meanwhile, speaking exclusively to ATLFM NEWS, she said the education directorate is embarking on a sensitization programme to reiterate to parents their responsibilities in taking great care of their girl-child during their menstrual periods.
Mrs. Kurentsiwa Smith said the directorate is also setting up girls’ clubs in the schools adding that they are collaborating with stakeholders to put up programmes that will let the teacher be equipped with the necessary information to support the girl-child in the schools
Chief Executive Officer of Baawapa Foundation, Anita Baawa Hayford emphasized the significance of the day stating World Menstrual Hygiene Day is an opportunity to educate and empower young women to take control of their health.
Touching on the theme for the occasion “Together for a period-friendly world/Ghana”, she said by encouraging girls and women to adopt proper menstrual hygiene practices, her foundation seeks to help end period poverty and tackle misconceptions about menstruation.
She said health and hygiene, especially among girls should be prioritized as a state policy, while menstruation as an important cycle in the life of girls and women, also be considered a priority.
Mad. Hayford said the foundation also provides education on menstrual health and hygiene to help transform mindsets and promote support for menstruating girls.
The girls were each presented with sanitary pads after the foundation donated 10 boxes of sanitary pads to the two schools.
Some of the girls who spoke to ATL FM expressed their gratitude to Baawapa Foundation for the support, saying, it would enable them stay in school during their menstrual periods to enhance their academic performances.
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Source: Anthony Sasu Ayisadu/ATLFMNEWS
