By Peter Agengre
Lamisi Music Foundation has encouraged young girls in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region not to let menstruation hinder their educational pursuits. The pupils were advised to maintain personal hygiene, especially when they are menstruating.
The foundation, in collaboration with Haven of Love Children’s Foundation, hosted a group of young boys and girls from Tilli Junior High and Widnaba Junior High Schools to a sensitisation session focused on menstruation and proper hygiene practices.
The founder of the foundation, Lamisi Akuka, emphasised the importance of shifting societal perceptions surrounding menstruation from shame to empathy. She suggested the need for boys to be included in menstrual hygiene education.
“Most of the time, men are often excluded when it comes to menstruation or menstrual issues. So we thought it’s very important that men are educated about menstruation, because, it helps them to become better fathers and partners in future so that they can support their daughters and their wives.”
While we play our role as stakeholders, parents equally have the responsibility to monitor and care for their girls to grow up into responsible citizens. When they are healthy and neat in school, they are able to concentrate on their studies. Menstruation is a natural and must be accepted and respected by all,” Lamisi Akuka explained.
They also distributed over five hundred pieces of sanitary pads, some four hundred and fifty books, some pens and mathematical instruments. Chief Executive Officer of Haven of Love Children’s Foundation Mr. Samuel Nana Bekai Djirackor, said they aim to create a world where girls are inspired to become leaders and successful individuals.
Head teacher of Widnaba Junior High School, Albert Abarega, commended Lamisi Foundation for educating the young ones on the need to practice personal hygiene. Some beneficiary students expressed appreciation to the NGOs for their collaboration and support.
One Response
Congratulation on your compassion and energy to take on this challenge. Most people do not know the hardships of young women face in all parts of Africa. I am doing similar work in Ethiopia perhaps one day we should put our heads together and build a factory and make our own sanitary napkins.