Accra: The National Youth Authority (NYA), along with Capacity Enhancement and Community Support (CAPECS Ghana), celebrated this year's Menstrual Hygiene Day with students in Wa. The event, themed 'Empowering the Marginalised Girls with the Right Menstrual Information for Stress Free Period,' gathered students from the Wa Methodist School for the Blind and St. Paul's Methodist School. The initiative aimed to increase awareness of menstrual health and promote dignity and confidence among girls during their menstrual cycles.
According to Ghana News Agency, the broader global theme focused on eliminating menstruation-related stigma, combating period poverty, and ensuring all women and girls can manage their periods with dignity. During the event, Mrs. Vida Addi, Upper West Regional Director of the NYA, emphasized that awareness on menstrual hygiene and confidence-building in girls could significantly improve health outcomes, enhance school attendance, and contribute to overall well-being. She urged stakeholders to engage in collective action to end menstruation stigma and discrimination through education, dialogue, and community involvement.
Mrs. Addi highlighted the celebration's focus on educating participants about proper menstrual hygiene, encouraging the sale of affordable menstrual products, and advocating for supportive environments in schools and communities. She also mentioned the programme's goal of empowering adolescent girls with accurate health information, promoting gender equality, and fostering collective stakeholder action to normalize menstruation as a healthy part of life. She expressed appreciation for the dedication of teachers in supporting the comprehensive development of young individuals.
Reverend Monica Achana, Headmistress of the Wa Methodist School for the Blind, thanked NYA and CAPECS Ghana for hosting the event at the school, noting it as a unique initiative in recent years. She stressed the importance of making menstruation knowledge accessible to all and expressed optimism that the sensitisation would aid girls in managing their menstrual periods with dignity and confidence.
Dr. Sory Hannah Elsie Ashma from the Upper West Regional Hospital educated students on menstrual management and self-care, clarifying menstruation as a natural biological process. Madam Paulina Zuri, a Health Promotion Officer with the Ghana Health Service in Wa, instructed students on nutrition during menstruation, recommending iron-rich foods like green vegetables and bananas. Madam Shirley Pearl Guribe, Adolescent Health Coordinator at the Wa Municipal Health Directorate, conducted a practical demonstration on how to use sanitary pads, providing clear explanations.
The NYA and its partners also distributed sanitary pads to more than 100 girls attending the event.