School girls given sanitary pads as part of measures to end #Sex4Pads in society
The Girl Child Hygiene has distributed more than 300 pieces of sanitary pads to girls in schools in the rural part of the Greater Region; Agorteman M/A JHS, Obom-Kojoman D/A School and Christ Star School, Agblizaa as part of measures to curb the menace of sex for pads in society across Ghana. The aim of the project which was held in December is to help contribute to the achievement of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4 and 5. As part of activities to achieve this goal, the Girl Child Hygiene visited three schools in the rural areas of the Greater Accra region to donate the pads to young girls between the ages of 12 to 18 at the Junior High School level. Addressing the gathering, Special Guest and Director of Aspire Today, Etornam Sey, encouraged the young girls to be understand why it is important for them to place value on themselves and not having to sleep with men for money just to buy pads. She said many of the girls had stopped attending school due to the negative social norms surrounding menstrual hygiene management. This has deprived the girl child of her right to education and called on the general public to be circumspect on how they address menstrual issues. “Having your period is not a crime and we must not allow ourselves to be swindled into believing its a crime. We need to support the girls and we need to understand that it is not their fault to have their periods. People have sex because it is their choice but as a woman you don’t have a choice when it comes to your period, it will come whether we like it or not,” she said. She also called on government to consider scrapping the huge tax rate on sanitary pads in the country and bemoaned that, young girls are unable to buy pads in recent times due to the high rate at which it is being sold on the market. “The 45% tax rate on sanitary pad alone is really bad and this is compelling the young girls to take certain decisions like having sex with men just to raise some money to buy pads, I think this is so wrong and the ordeal of most of these girls in society is very heartbreaking. It is happening and most girls are doing it but are shy to say it or even talk about it,” she indicated. Supporting girls to manage their periods Speaking on the ways by which the girl child could manage her periods, the General Manager of the Girl Child Hygiene Leticia Agyekum noted that, the goal of the product distribution was to assist females in meeting their menstrual cycle demands, particularly in rural areas where they couldn’t otherwise purchase sanitary pads. In addition, she entreated the teachers and authorities to make it a point to educate the young girls and general public in order to end the taboo and silence around menstrual hygiene management and to reform harmful societal practises, particularly among boys and men. Commending the works of the Girl Child Hygiene, Madam Gifty, a teacher in the school said the intervention of the organization is a step in the right direction, calling it extremely opportune. Sanitary pads keep girls in school Due to a scarcity of sanitary pads, several local girls had quit school and become pregnant in the society. In addition, the unfavourable societal standards has prevented females from receiving an equal education and had an adverse effect on their health, safety, and sense of dignity.
Let’s work together as a team and cause the change we want to see in society
Amos Ekow Coffie, the Founder and Executive Director of Girl Child Hygiene has called on all executives and volunteers with the firm to work assiduously to ensure the change the organization seeks to cause in society. Speaking at the official launch of the firm’s website which was held on Zoom on February 1, 2023, the Executive Director stressed the need to work together as a team and transform society by empowering and providing the basic necessity of the girl child to achieve her dreams. “We need to work together as a team, this is not for me this project is for all of us and we need to carry it like it’s our baby. It is just like a tall tree, without the branches and stems it can not stand tall, and it will fall off and die but for the branches, it is still standing tall and flourishing. This is us, this is what our organization is like, it dwells on the shoulders of everyone here and without your part of the branch this firm won’t stand tall, so let’s give it our all,” he said. He also mentioned that “it is not just about launching the website but it is about promoting it and sharing it, to make sure the world gets to see what we are doing and the impact we are making”. Explaining the Challenges the organization went through to put up the website, Michael Abbey, the Director of IT stated that, it wasn’t easy but he worked ‘non-stop’ around the clock just to get the desired results. “It wasn’t easy, I worked both day and night sometimes just to get it done, but I put in my all and made sure that this was a success, I must say I am happy to see the result and to see the website turn into the tool that would change the narrative of the girl child in need,” he explained. Project Manager Mesharck Okunnor, called on the team not to relent but work hard to reach the target set and achieve the goals of the organization. “I am happy that now we have an official website where a lot of people can go and have a look at all the things we have been doing so far. We have all done a great job and we have to keep it up, we have to do more of the publicity so that we will reach wherever we want to reach,” he noted. Background Girl Child Hygiene is a non-profitable organization officially founded in 2021 and has made several donations before its incorporation in November 2022. It is aimed at providing sanitary products /pads to young girls in rural areas in Ghana, contributing to the achievement of SDG goal 3, 4 and 5. In our quest to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3; “Good health and well-being”- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, the Girl Child Hygiene project provides sanitary products/pads and toiletries such as soap, roll-on etc and education on menstrual health/hygiene to these girls of selected schools in the province especially the rural areas every month. Though our current activity is limited to deprived and rural areas in Ghana, we envisage widening our horizon internationally, with time. In our bid to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3 with our Girl Child Hygiene project, goal 4; Quality Education, is also achieved as these girls would not absent themselves from school and would have a sound mind to study to achieve their future aspirations.
Empowering Girls In Ghana Through Access to Affordable Sanitary Pads
Menstruation is a natural biological process that affects half of the world’s population, but for many girls in Ghana, it can be a source of shame, embarrassment, and missed opportunities. Lack of access to affordable and appropriate menstrual products, such as sanitary pads, is a major barrier to education and can lead to school absenteeism and decreased academic performance. For girls in Ghana, access to affordable sanitary pads can mean the difference between staying in school and dropping out. It can also improve their health and self-esteem, as they are able to manage their periods with dignity and confidence. Unfortunately, many girls in Ghana are forced to use unsanitary materials, such as rags or leaves, during their periods, putting their health and well-being at risk. This is unacceptable, and it is time for action to be taken. Empowering girls in Ghana through access to affordable sanitary pads is a critical step in addressing menstrual health and hygiene. By providing girls with access to these products, we can break down the barriers to education and improve their opportunities for personal and social growth. In addition, promoting a culture of openness and understanding around menstruation is essential for breaking down taboos and stigmas. This can be achieved through education and awareness campaigns, as well as advocating for menstrual health as a human right. Investing in the menstrual health of girls in Ghana is an investment in their futures and the future of the country as a whole. By empowering girls through access to affordable sanitary pads, we can create a brighter future for all.
Breaking Barriers to Education: The Impact of Menstruation on Girls in Ghana
Education is a fundamental right that provides opportunities for personal and social growth, but for girls in many parts of the world, including Ghana, menstruation can be a barrier to their education. Menstruation can be a source of shame and embarrassment, causing girls to miss school or drop out altogether. In addition, many girls in Ghana do not have access to affordable and appropriate menstrual products, such as sanitary pads. This can result in girls using unsanitary materials during their periods, putting their health at risk and leading to school absenteeism. The impact of menstruation on girls’ education is significant and far-reaching. When girls miss school due to their periods, they fall behind in their studies, and this can have a lifelong impact on their opportunities and earning potential. Furthermore, the cycle of poverty and decreased opportunities perpetuates the cycle of underdevelopment and hinders progress towards gender equality. Breaking down the barriers to education for girls in Ghana requires addressing the issue of menstrual health and hygiene. This includes providing girls with access to affordable and appropriate menstrual products, such as reusable sanitary pads, and educating girls and communities about menstrual health. It is also important to break down the taboos surrounding menstruation and promote a culture of openness and understanding. This can be achieved through education and awareness campaigns, as well as advocating for menstrual health as a human right. Investing in the education and menstrual health of girls in Ghana is an investment in their futures and the future of the country as a whole. By breaking down the barriers to education, we can empower girls to reach their full potential and create a brighter future for all.
Breaking the Menstruation Stigma: The Importance of Girl Child Hygiene
Menstruation is a natural bodily function that occurs in women and girls, yet it remains shrouded in stigma and shame. This stigma not only causes discomfort and embarrassment, but it also impacts the health, education, and overall well-being of girls. In many parts of the world, girls and women do not have access to affordable and appropriate menstrual products, such as sanitary pads. This can result in girls missing school or work, leading to a cycle of poverty and decreased opportunities. Additionally, the use of unsanitary materials during menstruation can put girls’ health at risk, contributing to reproductive and vaginal health issues. Breaking the menstruation stigma and addressing the issue of menstrual hygiene is crucial for promoting the well-being and empowerment of girls. It starts with educating girls and communities about menstrual health and promoting the use of sanitary products. Girls need access to affordable and sustainable menstrual products, such as reusable sanitary pads, so they can manage their periods with dignity and continue to attend school and work. Furthermore, breaking the menstruation stigma requires a cultural shift in attitudes towards women and girls. It requires promoting gender equality, breaking down taboos surrounding menstruation, and advocating for menstrual health as a human right. Investing in girl child hygiene and menstrual health is not just a matter of providing access to products; it is a matter of breaking down societal barriers and empowering girls to reach their full potential. Girls deserve to manage their periods with dignity and without shame, and it is time for us to break the menstruation stigma and create a world where menstrual health is a priority.