NAHSAG CALLS FOR 1 GIRL 1 PAD A MONTH INITIATIVE

NAHSAG CALLS FOR 1 GIRL 1 PAD A MONTH INITIATIVE

The National Health Students’ Association of Ghana (NAHSAG) on Menstrual Hygiene Day held a virtual discussion, speaking on the theme: Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health; the role of NAHSAG.

In a post which was shared with Equi Gh Media, the association called for the need to support our women in the rural areas with sanitary towels, soap, and access to clean water to take care of personal hygiene during menstruation.
In the past years, the association has taken it upon itself to undergo certain programs to benefit their society like the regular blood donation exercise, ready to beat malaria, NAHSAG saves the woman project, etc but has not looked at Menstrual hygiene and Health.

Among the speakers for the scheduled Zoom meeting was Dr. Yakubu Yusuf who spoke on the need for advocacy on menstrual hygiene, the need to support young adolescent and also touched on some religious beliefs which affect the adolescent girl’s upbringing mentally, especially treating them differently in their menses instead of treating them like their male counterpart or any other woman.

Mr. Worlasi spoke on the myths and the truths related to menstrual hygiene and the need for education on personal hygiene during menstruation and also what to teach the adolescent girl before menarche.
Most girls are not prepared for menarche and whenever it happens majority are not prepared therefore soil their clothes or uniforms which brings about stigmatization amongst themselves.
The need for washrooms on the various campuses to be stocked with sanitary pads and a proper disposal management system to protect our environment as well.

President and WOCOM elect spoke on menstrual health problems like menstrual pain, irregular periods, abnormal or heavy bleeding, and knowing when to report to the doctor. Stress and Obesity play a vital role in Menstrual health problems therefore the need for a sound mind and proper dieting with exercise.
The various stakeholders ie. Parents, teachers, and other organizations with the adolescent girl at heart were pleased to come on board not only on May 28th but subsequent days as well to educate and invest in Menstrual Hygiene.

3 in 5 girls miss school every month because of lack of access to sanitary pads, this goes a long way to affect girl child education.
In conclusion, they made a point that s3x is optional, periods don’t stop for pandemics hence sanitary pads, menstrual cups, tampons, disposable and reusable pads must be made free or tax-free to help the adolescent child maintain menstrual hygiene.

Source: Bestghananews.com