More than 250 teenage mothers between the ages of 15 and 18 from five communities in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region have received menstrual hygiene education, sanitary products, and assorted clothing through an intervention by Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana and its partners to mark this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The beneficiaries, drawn from the communities of Zebila, Kukore, Kamega, Binaba, and Yibumde, described the support as timely and life-changing, especially at a time when many of them struggle to afford basic menstrual hygiene products.
“The support came at the right time,” said Awintima Francisca, a 17-year-old teenage mother. “Often, we struggle to get money to buy sanitary pads, and it becomes difficult during our periods.”
Francisca’s experience reflects the reality of many young girls and teenage mothers in deprived communities across the district, where access to menstrual hygiene products and education remains a major challenge.
Rebecca Akurugu, who recently completed junior high school at age 15, and Belinda Asusyine, an 18-year-old JHS student, also expressed gratitude to the organisations for the intervention, noting that the donation would help them manage their menstrual health with dignity and confidence.
The initiative was spearheaded by Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana in collaboration with Harvest Youth Movement and Ndemalecah Foundation as part of activities marking Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed globally each year on May 28.
This year’s theme, “Together for a Period-Friendly World,” seeks to promote awareness of menstrual hygiene management, end stigma surrounding menstruation, and advocate equitable access to menstrual products and education for girls and women.
Speaking during the donation exercise, the Project Officer of Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana, Pecy Asimvim, explained that the intervention forms part of the foundation’s broader efforts to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) among adolescents and teenage mothers in the Upper East Region.
He noted that menstrual hygiene education remains a critical aspect of empowering young girls and ensuring they stay healthy and confident.
“Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights has been one of the key pillars of our organisation. We believe that educating adolescents and teenagers about their reproductive health responsibilities is very important,” he stated.
According to him, the beneficiaries were not only given sanitary pads and assorted clothing but were also educated on proper menstrual hygiene practices and the importance of maintaining personal health during menstruation.
He added that many teenage mothers and girls in rural communities continue to face challenges accessing sanitary products due to poverty and limited awareness, making such interventions necessary.
“Many of these girls not only lack knowledge about menstrual hygiene, but they also do not have the financial means to buy sanitary products. This support is therefore meant to restore dignity and confidence in them,” he added.
Founder of Ndemalecah Foundation, Ndepuka Gloria, also underscored the importance of partnerships in addressing the challenges facing vulnerable girls and teenage mothers in rural communities.
She explained that collaborating with Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana has enabled the foundation to expand its support to more young mothers through skills development and empowerment initiatives.
“As a growing foundation, partnering with Youth Harvest Foundation Ghana is very important to us because it allows us to reach more vulnerable girls with education and support,” she said.
She disclosed that beyond menstrual hygiene support, the foundation has also provided sewing machines and clothing to some teenage mothers to help them acquire vocational skills and become economically independent.
The intervention has been widely welcomed by community members and beneficiaries, who say such support helps reduce the stigma associated with menstruation and improves the confidence of young girls.
Menstrual Hygiene Day continues to serve as a global platform for advocating safe menstrual hygiene management and promoting policies and actions that ensure no girl is disadvantaged because of her period.
A1 Radio | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
