Hohoe: Professor Lydia Aziato, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), has urged society to eliminate the stigma, misconceptions, and discrimination associated with menstruation, emphasizing it as a normal biological process rather than a disease.
According to Ghana News Agency, Prof Aziato, speaking at the UHAS and Reckitt Global Hygiene Institute (RGHI) Project dissemination forum in Hohoe, highlighted the severe physical, emotional, and psychological challenges many women and girls face during menstruation, which are often ignored by society. She pointed out that while some women experience minimal discomfort, others are incapacitated by severe menstrual pain, affecting their ability to perform daily tasks.
Prof Aziato shared insights from her previous research, revealing the significant struggles adolescent girls endure in managing menstruation and the subsequent impact on their mental health and overall wellbeing. She noted that girls experiencing heavy menstrual flows often grapple with anxiety and embarrassment, especially when they stain their clothing or bedding despite using sanitary products.
Highlighting the impact of social and cultural practices, Prof Aziato criticized certain restrictions imposed on menstruating women and girls in some communities and religious settings. She explained that such practices exacerbate stress and perpetuate harmful misconceptions, with some religious settings barring menstruating women from entering places of worship, and some households imposing restrictions on their activities.
Prof Aziato's call to action underscores the need for a societal shift in perceptions and practices regarding menstruation to promote better mental health and wellbeing for women and girls.