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Menstruation is natural, normal phase of life …School children told on Menstrual Hygiene Day
Naa Amaley Tesaa (I) addressing the audience
Four institutions have collaborated to mark this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day with a short celebration at the Wesley Methodist Cathedral in Accra.
These are the Ga Mantse Foundation, Adwinsa Publications and the Father Campell SVD Foundation under the auspices of His Royal Majesty (HRM) King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, the Ga Mantse and President of the Ga Traditional Council.
It was celebrated under the theme ‘Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030.’
The Day, which falls on May 28, is to break taboos and increase public understanding of the value of proper management of menstrual hygiene (MHM).
In a speech delivered on behalf of the Ga Mantse, Queen Mother Naa Ameley Tesaa I of the Teiko Tsuru We Abola emphasised that menstruation is a normal and natural part of life and should never be a barrier to one’s goals, aspirations, or education. She also advised the young girls to accept this stage of life with dignity.
She added that the Ga Mantse Foundation was dedicated to raising awareness and education to empower young women and girls.
“I want to urge each and every one of you to learn about menstrual hygiene, support one another and advocate for gender equality. Your understanding and support will pave the way for a healthier and well informed community,” she said.
Dr. Evelyn Tawiah, a retired medical professional, said that eradicating the stigma associated with menstruation was imperative, and that menstrual hygiene day should be observed.
“It is time to make menstruation normal so that it will not be like when one is menstruating, she cannot go to school or go somewhere,” the speaker continued, adding that it was time to normalise menstruation as a part of daily life.
According to Ms. Joyce Akyere Adu, a representative of Adwinsa Publications, a company that supports children’s education, menstruation was taboo in the community and rarely discussed.
She added that the company has been sponsoring such programmes for the past six years and felt compelled to support the celebration of Menstrual Hygiene Day.
She urged young people, parents in particular, to stay in strong relationships with their children and teach them self-care techniques instead of allowing their wards to feel that having a period is a social taboo.
Offering her perspective, Ms. Heritage 2023 Francisca Agama advised the teenagers on self-care, saying, “If you do not like bathing, ensure to bathe at least twice in a day when you are menstruating.”
She also reminded them to properly dispose of their used pads by packing them in a polythene bag rather than flushing them down the toilet.
She advised the young girls to get enough of exercise, eat a lot of fruits, drink lots of water, and get adequate sleep when they experience menstrual cramps.
By Elizabeth Agyeibea Ackon