By James Amoh Junior, GNA
Accra, June 1, GNA – The Network of Professional Women in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WiWASH) has commemorated Menstrual Hygiene Day with a sensitization and donation exercise at the Alogboshie Cluster of Schools, urging stakeholders to work towards a more period-friendly Ghana.
WiWASH called for the creation of a Period-Friendly Ghana where girls could manage their periods with dignity, safety, and confidence.
The event was held in collaboration with Ghana Water Ltd. (GWL) and focused on education, advocacy, and the donation of menstrual hygiene materials to support over 200 schoolgirls.
Each year, WiWASH identifies underprivileged schools and empowers young girls through menstrual hygiene education, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to manage their health with dignity.
The initiative also provides essential support by donating sanitary products, books, stationery, soaps, and food items to help create a more conducive learning environment and improve the overall well-being of the students.
Since 2018, the network has reached thousands of girls in underserved areas including Wa, Ashaiman, Kpeve, Bortianor, Weija, and Ngleshie Amanfrom with donations and menstrual health education.
Mrs Faustina Boachie, President of WiWASH, whose speech was read on her behalf by Mrs. Perpetua Asomani, WiWASH Organiser and Chief Manager of Lands and Estates at GWL, highlighted the importance of addressing the shame and silence surrounding menstruation.
She stated that every girl had a right to manage her period safely and confidently, stressing that menstruation was a healthy and natural part of life and not a subject for ridicule or embarrassment.
Mrs Boachie, also the Chief Manager of the Low Income Consumer Support Department of GWL, called on society — particularly boys and men — to be part of the broader conversation on menstrual health.
She added that schools must become safe spaces where girls felt comfortable discussing menstrual hygiene without fear of being teased or sidelined.
The WiWASH President urged teachers and caregivers to serve as the first line of support, offering empathy, education, and encouragement to girls.
According to her, building a Period Friendly Ghana meant ensuring that no girl was left behind because of her period.
She explained that this could only be achieved when schools were equipped with appropriate WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facilities, provided with the right information, and when myths and misconceptions about menstruation were actively challenged.
“Let’s break the silence and end the shame. Together, we can build a Ghana where every girl feels proud of her body, every boy shows respect, and every child can learn, grow, and dream without barriers,” Mrs Boachie advised.
Mrs. Cynthia Aboni, Okaikwei North Municipal Director of Education, expressed concern about the widespread misinformation and shame that still surrounded menstruation in schools and communities.
She said many girls in Ghana were still denied their right to education because of lack of access to menstrual products or sanitary facilities.
Mrs Aboni applauded WiWASH for its commitment to supporting schools and called on other stakeholders — NGOs, government institutions, and the private sector — to join in the effort to make menstrual hygiene a national priority.
She emphasized that empowering girls to manage their periods properly was not just a health issue, but a matter of educational equity and national development.
According to Mrs. Aboni, the lack of basic infrastructure in schools, such as access to water, changing rooms, and sanitary pad banks, posed major obstacles for menstruating students.
She noted that the situation at Alogboshie Basic School was a perfect example of how underserved schools were being left behind despite being located in the capital city.
She urged WiWASH and partners to sustain and expand their support to more schools across the municipality, adding, “Let us work together to build a Ghana where girls feel proud, not ashamed, during their periods; where no girl has to miss school because of menstruation.”
Mrs. Eunice D. Yidana, Headteacher of Alogboshie One Basic School, noted that although the school had a washroom facility, there was no running water, no changing room, and no library to support health education, making it difficult for girls to manage their periods in school.
She explained that as a result of these challenges, many girls either stayed home during their periods or left school mid-day and never return, creating gaps in their academic performance and confidence.
Mrs. Yidana said while the school tried to do its part through its guidance and counselling units, much more support was needed, calling on government agencies, NGOs and other benevolent organisations to the deprived school.
Mrs. Solace Akomeah, Executive Secretary of WiWASH, who led a panel discussion on demystifying menstruation and ending “Period Poverty”, said the issue of menstrual hygiene was directly linked to the broader goal of empowering young women.
She said period poverty was still prevalent in many parts of the country, and its consequences— such as infections and school absenteeism — could not be ignored.
Mrs Akomeah, also the Accra West Communication Manager of GWL, explained that some girls, and even adult women, use improvised materials during menstruation because they could not afford sanitary pads, exposing them to reproductive health risks.
She emphasized that the annual Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration was not a one-off event, but part of WiWASH’s long-term mission to empower girls.
Mrs Akomeah condemned certain cultural practices that prevented menstruating girls from going to school or crossing rivers.
“These harmful practices must stop. We want to see a Ghana where girls are bold, healthy, and empowered — where menstruation does not define their ability to succeed,” she stated.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie