Gov’t Urged to Take Swift Action to Address Menstrual Poverty in Ghana
Report By: Ishmael Barfi
Stakeholders in the Health and WASH sector in Ghana are calling for a comprehensive National Menstrual Policy to address what they called Menstrual poverty and menstrual health challenges faced by girls and women across the country.
They emphasize that immediate government action is necessary to safeguard the dignity, health, and rights of women and girls.
At a recent 2-day Trainer of Trainers Workshop held at the Aqua Safari Resort in Ada, organized by World Vision in partnership with the Ghana Water Journalists Network (GWJN) and the Media Coalition on Open Defecation (M-CoDE), Sandra Boakye, Executive Director of Inspire Ghana, made a fervent appeal to the government. She urged policymakers and stakeholders to establish a national menstrual policy, highlighting the severe impact of menstrual poverty on the welfare and development of young girls and women.
Gov’t Urged to Take Swift Action to Address Menstrual Poverty in Ghana
“Menstrual poverty,” Boakye explained, “refers to the struggles individuals face in accessing safe and affordable menstrual products, hygiene facilities, and education.” She cited alarming statistics from UNICEF, noting that while 78% of girls in Ghana use sanitary pads, 14% resort to cloth or rags. Furthermore, only 60% of schools have functional toilets, and just 45% offer adequate sanitation facilities for girls. These figures underscore the urgent need for a policy framework to address menstrual health comprehensively.
Boakye stressed that a national menstrual policy would ensure access to safe and affordable menstrual products, reduce stigma, and empower girls and women to fully participate in education and work, thereby boosting economic productivity and social inclusion. She called for a policy that encompasses menstrual hygiene management education, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools, public places, workplaces, and even in isolation areas such as prisons.
The workshop revealed that 75% of girls in Ghana learn about menstruation before their first period, yet 40% feel uncomfortable discussing it with their mothers, according to Water Aid statistics. These insights highlight the need for improved menstrual education and open dialogue within families and communities.
Boakye’s appeal underscores the importance of menstrual health in achieving gender equality and social justice. By ensuring access to necessary products and facilities, Ghana can protect the health and well-being of its young girls and women, reduce gender disparities, and foster a more inclusive society.
The call for a national menstrual policy is a crucial step towards prioritizing menstrual health in Ghana. Inspire Ghana, along with its partners, continues to lead the charge in advocating for the menstrual health and dignity of girls and women, aiming to create a society where every individual can participate without shame or fear.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
