By Jones Anlimah
Plan International Ghana has inaugurated new Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in Koensim, a community within the Jasikan Municipality of the Oti Region. The event which coincided with the commemoration of this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day falls under the Integrated Package for Sustainable Development (I-PADEV).
At an interaction with students of Bueman Senior High School in the Jasikan Municipality to commemorate this year’s world Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Country Director of Plan International Ghana Mr. Constant Tchona, highlighted the organization’s commitment to partner state institutions, including Parliament, and other stakeholders to influence policy and advocate for safe and affordable menstrual health and hygiene products for girls across the country.
Data indicates that most schools in Ghana lack basic facilities such as changing places, running water, disposal facilities, and menstrual materials needed to manage menstrual hygiene effectively. Menstruation therefore poses significant challenges for young girls in schools and communities, where cultural norms often lead to seclusion, reduced mobility, and dietary restrictions.
The theme for this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day, “Together for a Period Friendly World,” emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where menstruation is treated with dignity and respect. It also advocates for an inclusive and supportive environment where menstruation is normalized and not a barrier to education, work, or social activities.
The menstrual sensitization session at Bueman Senior High School provided a platform to educate and raise awareness about menstrual hygiene among students, particularly female students to help reduce the stigma associated with menstruation. Over 500 reusable sanitary pads were distributed to the female students.
The headmaster of Bueman Senior High School, Mr Frank Boamah, expressed gratitude to Plan International Ghana for the sensitization session and hoped that it will go a long way to enhance students’ ability to manage their menstrual hygiene with dignity and comfort.
According to him the knowledge acquired will not only improve their health and sanitation but also boosts their confidence and school attendance. “Many of our girls lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities that help them manage their menstruation effectively. societal stigma and cultural taboos also continue to impact negatively on the health and wellbeing of our girls.”, he said.
“We will also plead with policy makers to prioritize menstrual and health issues given the importance they play in human rights, public health and gender inequalities since it will seek to eliminate period poverty.”, he added.
The Country Director for Plan International Ghana, Mr. Constant Tchona, said the integrated Package for Sustainable Development (I-PADEV) project focuses on creating resilient environments for better health and learning outcomes, especially for girls, in rural and underserved communities.
He called on stakeholders to strive towards a global objective to ensure that menstrual health is positioned as a human right and a health right for girls, young women, and women in general. “Today, let us also recognize the environmental impact of menstrual products. Single-use pads and tampons contribute significantly to plastic pollution. As we advocate for menstrual hygiene, let’s also promote sustainable alternatives such as menstrual cups, reusable pads, and biodegradable options.”, he said.
He added “Together, we can reduce our ecological footprint and protect the planet for future generations. Plan International Ghana wishes to recognize and appreciate the efforts of the government in reducing taxes on materials for the production of sanitary pads with the aim of making them affordable to many. While this is commendable, more needs to be done to achieve a Period-Friendly World.”
Plan International Ghana then inaugurated two new water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in Koensim, a boarder community within the Jasikan Municipality of the Oti Region. The provision of the mechanized water and gender friendly public toilet facilities falls under Plan International Ghana’s Integrated Package for Sustainable Development (I-PADEV).
Prior to the provision of the two facilities community members relied on a local river for both domestic and consumption use. They also defecated randomly in open spaces with it attendant health risks.
