MoGCSP DONATES SANITARY PADS TO MARK MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY.

In a significant move to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Dakoa Newman accompanied by the Chief Director, Dr. Afisah Zakariah, on Tuesday 28th May 2024, led some Directors and staff of the Ministry, along with other officials from various institutions, to donate sanitary pads across several key locations in Accra.

This initiative aims to support menstrual hygiene management and raise awareness about the importance of menstrual health.

The distribution of sanitary pads took place at the following locations:

1. Accra Wesley Girls Senior High School

2. St. Joseph Anglican Church, serving both private and public schools

3. Accra Psychiatric Hospital

4. Osu Correctional Center

5. Nsawam Prisons

Following these donations, the team joined the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Her Excellency Samira Bawumia, at Odorgonno Senior High School to further mark the occasion.

During her visit, the Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to the health and dignity of women and girls across Ghana.

According to her, access to sanitary products is not a luxury but a basic necessity. “By providing these resources, we aim to ensure that no girl misses out on her education or any other opportunity due to menstruation. Let us continue to break the silence and challenge the stigma surrounding menstrual health,” she said.

She added that the Ministry has been engaging parents on responsible parenting and their role in supporting their adolescent girls to address some of the challenges of menstrual hygiene management.

“The Ministry will continue to promote the sexual and reproductive health rights of girls to increase their retention in school and completion, enabling them to achieve their full potential and meaningfully contribute to national development,” she added.

Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed annually on May 28, is a global initiative aimed at breaking the silence and changing the negative social norms surrounding menstrual health.

The day seeks to create a world where every woman and girl can manage her menstruation in a hygienic, safe, and dignified manner.

The Ministry’s efforts underscore the government’s commitment to improving the health and well-being of women and girls, ensuring they have the necessary resources and support to manage their menstrual health effectively.

Source: MoGCSP