Regrettably, menstruation is still covered by socio-cultural and religious constraints in Ghana, and this serves as a drawback in the efforts to promote menstrual hygiene.
Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to ill health, school absenteeism, and low self-confidence, among others, on the adolescent girl.
To stem the tide of stigmatization often associated with menstruation, Underground Mining Alliance ( UMA), a contractor of AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has stepped up education targeted at demystifying issues on menstruation for both school girls and boys to accept menstruation as a normal physiological process every woman goes through.
Aside from the outreach programme, they also donated 280 reusable and non- reusable sanitary pads to school girls at the Bidienlm, Nhyieso, Apitiso and Sanso schools which can last 6 months.
According to Yvonne Adomako, Asabre of UMA feeds into the company’s goal to give back to their immediate communities as part of their corporate social responsibilities.
She said parents should prioritize the menstrual needs of their girls.
She said that to prevent menstrual poverty, parents have a huge role to play in ensuring that their children have access to menstrual pad. “
As parents, we should be available to support our children to go through that period seemlessly through menstrual education and the provision of sanitary pads.”
Mavis Nana Yaa Kyei, the Gender and Social Development Superintendent of AngloGold Ashanti, encouraged all girls saying to speak up, ask questions, and don’t shy away from menstruation.
She said menstruation should not be a barrier to reaching the pinnacle of education adding that, AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine has contributed to making education accessible through the 10-Year Socio-Economic Development Plan hence girls should take full advantage and achieve their academic dreams.
Elizabeth Appiah, a twelve year old student, had this to share; “I feel very bold today… I have learnt about the reusable pads and how to keep myself clean and healthy during menstruation. I’m able to calculate my menstrual cycle”