Valentina Giacobbe (M), Nana Afia Twum-Barima (1st R), Bernice Belinda Bullah (2nd L) and others in a group photograph after the launch
RED DOT Initiative, a transformative project founded by the Enroute 54 Foundation, has been launched to empower young girls in underserved communities through menstrual hygiene education and sustainable solutions, with the theme “Pads, Power, Possibility”.
Speaking at the launch, Co-Founder of Enroute 54 Foundation, Valentina Giacobbe, stated that menstrual health remains a critical issue in many communities and even more so in underserved areas, which is often overlooked as a barrier to education and dignity for many girls.
This unfortunate situation, according to her, birthed the Red Dot Initiative with the sole aim of curbing the menace by providing over 300 adolescent girls with reusable sanitary pads and comprehensive menstrual health education.
“Our goal is simple: to ensure these girls can manage their periods with confidence, stay in school, and thrive without limitations,” she mentioned.
Valentina Giacobbe assured that after the launch, they will be conducting interactive sessions covering topics such as hygiene, stigma, and self-care, while distributing reusable pads designed to last for years, adding that this initiative not only supports these girls but also eases the financial burden on their families and fosters a more inclusive school environment.
She also commended Eco-me Africa for the partnership support for subsidising the reusable pads.
The Executive Director of NEST, Nana Afia Twum-Barima, emphasised the importance of menstrual hygiene and accessibility to menstrual products in empowering young women. Speaking at the launch of the Red Dots Initiative, she highlighted the challenges young women face during their menstrual cycle and how it affects their education and social lives.
According to Ms. Twum-Barima, managing emotions during menstruation is crucial in empowering young women to achieve their goals. She noted that period poverty, where young women lack access to menstrual products, can lead to feelings of shame and discomfort, causing them to miss school or withdraw from social events.
Ms. Twum-Barima praised the Red Dot Initiative, describing it as a great project that supports young women, especially in underserved communities. She stressed the importance of educating young women about menstrual hygiene, providing them with easy access to menstrual products, and promoting emotional intelligence to manage their emotions during their menstrual cycle.
Girl Child Officer, Ghana Education Service, Bernice Belinda Bullah, commended the Enroute 54 Foundation for launching the initiative, which will reduce the rate of puberty poverty in the country.
“We are urging other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the country to take it upon themselves to champion the menstrual hygiene programme to help support the adolescent girl child,” she said.
Students from Dynamic Divine School in Jamestown and Lilies Of The Field in the Osu area, among other dignitaries, were present at the launch. Period kits from Eco-me Africa were distributed to the students.
BY Prince Fiifi Yorke