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.
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.