The Santé Initiative, a non-governmental Organisation has distributed over 1,000 sanitary pads to girls at the Attafuah Senior High Technical School, (ASTECH) Akim-Oda in the Birim Central Municipality of the Eastern Region as part of activities marking this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The female students received the much-needed donations of disposable pads, period panties, wipes, and pain medications.
The donation was part of the celebration of the Founder and President of The Santé Initiative, Dr. Nana Efa Attafua’s 40th birthday by giving back to her home country, and providing support to adolescent girls facing period poverty.
The T.O.M. Project (Time of the Month Project), initiated by The Santé Initiative, focuses on addressing period poverty and educating girls about menstrual hygiene.
The backpacks filled with menstrual products were met with gratitude and joy, as the girls recognized the impact these supplies would have on their lives.
Menstrual hygiene remains a significant challenge for many girls in Ghana, with limited access to affordable and safe menstrual products.
This event, coinciding with Menstrual Hygiene Day on May 28, 2023, not only provided tangible support but also created awareness and encouraged open conversations about menstrual health.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Attafua, a US-trained pharmacist, and founder of the NGO said recognizing the importance of menstrual hygiene and the impact it has on girls’ education and empowerment, she decided to break down the barriers to proper menstrual hygiene and provide sustainable solutions for period-recognizing poverty.
She said the distribution of products was to help girls meet their needs as they went through their menstrual cycle, especially in rural communities where they could not afford sanitary pads.
Dr. Attafua also urged traditional leaders and authorities to educate society to break the silence, raise awareness and change negative social norms surrounding menstrual hygiene management, especially among boys and men.
The students expressed gratitude to her for the kind gesture.
BY Daniel Bampoe