Wa, May 15, GNA – A
durbar on health and menstrual hygiene has been organised for more than 1,000
girls in Volta Region to help the youngsters stay in school and study.
The durbar is part
of a nationwide campaign being carried out by Touching The Lives of Girls
Foundation (TLGF), a Nongovernmental Organisation, to ensure menstruating girls
settle in schools throughout the terms of Ghana’s education calendar.
A baseline data by
the Foundation shows that 52 per cent of Ghanaian girls aged 13- 20 who are menstruating refuse to be in school,
especially contact hours, for sometimes one week due to absence of sanitary
pads and guidance and counselling services.
Nana Ama Adutwumwaa,
the Chief Executive Officer of TLGF, told the Ghana News Agency that the
development was badly affecting reproductive health and education of female
children in the country.
She said a mini
durbar was therefore organised by the organisation in Kpando for over
1,000 girls to educate them on personal hygiene during menstruation and also
overcome the trauma they go through.
“There is the need
for a concerted national effort to deal with this problem since it
disrupts the education of young girls and adversely impacts on their
reproductive health,” she said.
“When a girl has a
period for the first time, it is a distinct step into womanhood,” she added:
“but, the challenge is, most of us go through our periods secretively and don’t
really bother to figure out if our practices are hygienic or not.”
“At times, we may
wear the same for a whole day; as a big ‘sister’, l am here to share some
tips as l have done with other girls throughout Ghana to help you stay
clean and hygienic during your periods, increase your attention span during
lessons and increase general attendance to school.”
Queen Mothers of the
Kpando Traditional area have since pledged their support for menstrual hygiene
campaign to help young females who mostly face physical, mental and emotional
challenges.