Network for Young Women Empowerment, NYWE, a non-profit NGO has called on Municipal and District Assemblies in the Upper West region for the establishment of sanitary pad banks in schools, institutions, and organizations to cater for the menstrual health of girls and women.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event organized by the network to observe Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Chairperson of NYWE, Ms Ida Nakaar said it was high time such initiatives were provided in educational institutions as well as workplaces to safeguard their welfare.
“I remember last year in some of our outreaches we did in some of our districts, our advocacy or our message was calling on Districts and Municipal Assemblies to try as much as possible to create (sanitary) pad banks in the various schools that we have. We saw in the recent research that has been done by the (Upper West) Regional Youth Parliament that says 83% of girls in the Wa East get pregnant just because of accessing sanitary pads, so teenage pregnancy is one of them. So what we’re saying is this, we know there is poverty but let’s not allow the concentration be on the disposable sanitary pads. There are reusable sanitary pads that we have in the system.” She added
She expressed disappointment at the failure of institutions and organizations to provide menstrual facilities at their workplaces to cater for their menstruating workers.
She indicated that the difficulty majority women go through during their menstrual cycles wondering how their employers still expect to get from them their optimum best without the provisions of such facilities.
“It is like institutions and organizations and even government institutions are not seeing the relevance of menstrual hygiene. Because at times you go to a workplace, and there are no facilities for you. And when you’re bleeding and you want to change your pad, or you want a place to rest. At times, menstruation comes with a lot of pains its a whole mood on its own. And if the facilities are not there, how then are you productive during menstruation?” she lamented.
The Chairperson of the organization, Ms. Ida Nakaar did not fathom why people should shy away from talking about menstruation. It is her belief people should feel free to talk about it since it is an occurrence that is experienced by every girl or woman adding, it gives true meaning to the person for being a woman.
She rubbished the many myths surrounding menstruation which may still be held by many out there.
This year’s edition of the Menstrual Hygiene Day was commemorated in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West region where over 40 young girls were sensitized on menstrual hygiene and the age-old myths surrounding the occurrence.
Each of the girls took home three sanitary pads to cater for their next three months’ cycles.
Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/Morris Banaamwine
