Report By: Ishmael Barfi
Mrs. Theodora Adomaku-Adjei, Director of Extension and Commercial Services at the Community Water and Sanitation Agency has called for a comprehensive assessment to identify and address gender-related issues regarding infrastructure for women and girls.
She highlighted that existing facilities often present unique challenges, particularly during menstruation.
Speaking at the Women’s WASH Conference 2025, organized by the Women in WASH Advocacy Network-Ghana in Accra on Thursday, April 3, 2025, she expressed her concern that most washrooms do not meet the needs of women and girls, making it difficult for them to change sanitary pads and maintain proper hygiene.
“In rural areas, many schools lack appropriate toilet facilities, forcing girls to miss school during their menstrual periods,” she lamented.
To address these challenges, Mrs. Adomaku-Adjei proposed the installation of changing rooms as part of toilet facilities in schools.
She suggested that these rooms should include hooks for hanging bags, disposal options for used sanitary pads, and sufficient space for movement.
Establishing these changing rooms for girls and women would not only increase school attendance rates but also improve hygiene and sanitation practices while enhancing the confidence and comfort of girls using the facilities.
Additionally, she discussed the government’s initiative to distribute sanitary pads to girls, stressing the importance of conducting a gender needs assessment.
This assessment will help determine the number of girls in need of sanitary pads, the frequency of use, and the quantities required.
“This information can guide the distribution of sanitary pads, ensuring that the right quantities are provided to the right girls at the right time,” she reiterated.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
