Pencil of Promise a Non-governmental organization in collaboration with Fidelity Bank PLC brought smiles on the faces of over 300 adolescent girls from schools in the lower Manya Krobo Municipality after providing them with free sanitary pads.
The distribution of the sanitary pads to the deprived and less privileged adolescent girls forms part of activities to mark this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day which has firmly been incorporated into the Corporate Social Responsibility projects of these two entities.
The event which took place 2024 World Hygiene Day at the Atua St. Paul’s Basic School saw the students display their knowledge about menstrual hygiene management with drama and poetry recitals.
Delivering a speech on this year’s theme: Together for a Period Friendly World “, a representative from Fidelity Bank Madam.
Marjorie Quansah called on the Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service to integrate menstrual health into the curriculum.
“We are gathered here today not to just celebrate this day but to also advocate for a world where menstrual hygiene is not a barrier but a right for every woman and girl. Menstrual Hygiene is an integral part of the health and human right, yet it remains a challenge for women and millions of girls around the globe. This challenge affects education, health and overall well-being and a continuous cycle of poverty and inequality.
“It is our collective responsibility to address these challenges and ensure that every woman or girl can manage their menstrual Hygiene with dignity. At Fidelity Bank, we are committed to sustainable development, and this is deeply rooted in our values and mission. We believe that sustainable development is not just about environmental stewardship but also about fostering equitable and inclusive societies.
She added, “Together with our partners and pencils of Promise and the communities including government and advocacies to push for policies that prioritize menstrual health and hygiene which includes ensuring that menstrual health is integrated into public health and educational curriculum.”
On his part, the Country Director of Pencils of Promise Freeman Gobah outlining some strategies adopted to save girls as part of their Menstrual Hygiene management programs indicated that about a thousand teachers have been equipped with knowledge and information on how to best implement menstrual hygiene management to ensure girls stay in schools during their cycles.
“In response to a number of issues relating to menstrual health what should organizations do to address the issues of menstrual hygiene in our basic schools, in response to these challenges faced by girls due to lack of access to safe menstrual hygiene management facilities the following targeted strategies has been adopted by Pencils of Promise.
“Through our menstrual hygiene management program we have provided over a thousand teachers with relevant knowledge and information on how to best implement menstrual hygiene management programs at the school level which ensures girls have access to adequate knowledge and options available for menstrual hygiene management.”
He added, “We also encouraged teachers to integrate menstrual Hygiene education in their lessons, in partnership with the PACT project we have provided 6000 affordable reusable sanitary pads in basic schools which is aimed at ensuring girls stay in schools and have the confidence to participate in all school activities.
“Through our hygiene clubs in schools, we have trained over 3000 girls on how to make their own reusable pads using homemade fabric that are hygienic cheap and environmentally friendly.”
“In collaboration with schools and community stakeholders, we have built safe and gender-sensitive toilets that ensure girls have the privacy they need when they need to use the bathroom or change their sanitary pads.”
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