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Menstrual hygiene: Obaapa Development Foundation engage stakeholders in five communities in Atwima Kwanwoma District

By Jacob Agyenim Boateng || Contributor
Social News Menstrual hygiene: Obaapa Development Foundation engage stakeholders in five communities in Atwima Kwanwoma District
JUN 1, 2023 LISTEN

A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Obaapa Development Foundation has organized stakeholder engagements on safe ways to go through menstrual cycle for young girls in over five communities in the Atwima Kwanwoma District of Ashanti Region.

Held at Kwanwoma, on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, the event saw thousands of school girls, traditional leaders, health officials, parents and government officials coming together to discuss healthy ways young girls can go through their menstruation period without problems.

The engagement according to the NGO was part of efforts to mark this year's World Menstrual Cycle Day.

Addressing the gathering, Executive Director of the Foundation and Development Queenmother of Afigya Kwabre in the Ashanti Region, Nanahemaa Adwoa Awindor, underscored the need to celebrate the day and ensure that all girls who enter the period of menstruation are given accurate information and support.

"Menstrual Hygiene Day is an annual awareness day on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management at a global level. It was initiated by the German-based NGO WASH United in 2013 and observed for the first time in 2014," she stated.

She noted that it was important to mark this day with activities that encourage people to support young girls going through their menstruation period.

"Today, millions of women and girls around the world are stigmatised, excluded and discriminated against simply because they menstruate.

"It’s not acceptable that because of a natural bodily function women and girls continue to be prevented from getting an education, earning an income and fully and equally participating in everyday life," she said

Nanahemaa Adwoa Awindor pledged her NGO's continued support to girls across the country to ensure they get the needed education and training to fit well in society.

Deputy Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon Francisca Oten Mensah who graced the occasion advocate for the removal of taxes on sanitary pads.

In an exclusive interview with this reporter at the sidelines of the event, the Kwabre East MP said scrapping taxes on sanitary pads will help make them easily accessible to the girls.

According to her, menstruation often comes with pain, mood swings and other forms of discomfort.

The MP said the high cost of sanitary pads has added to the pains associated with the monthly flow.

She assured the public that, her ministry will do its best to ensure taxes on sanitary pads are either reduced or removed by the government.

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