World Vision Ghana, in partnership with Unilever Ghana and the Ghana Health Service, has commemorated this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day by educating adolescent girls and boys in 12 schools in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region on menstrual health, personal hygiene, and the importance of ending stigma associated with menstruation.
The schools were Tanga JHS, Kpalsako JHS, Sitande JHS, Gozeisi JHS, Timonde JHS, Biringu JHS, Boya JHS, Kpantarigu JHS, Yelewoko JHS, Zabzoaga JHS, Kamega JHS, and Gbantongo JHS.
As part of the initiative, the organizations distributed sanitary pads and personal hygiene products, including Geisha soap, Vaseline, and Omo detergent, to support girls in managing their menstrual health and maintaining personal hygiene.
Speaking during the event at Tanga Junior High School, the Health, Nutrition and WASH Officer at the Zebilla office of World Vision Ghana, Mercy Awuni Apoasana, said the intervention was aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene and reducing absenteeism among girls in schools.
She noted that many girls miss classes during their menstrual periods due to a lack of sanitary products and fear of stigmatization by their peers.
“Menstrual hygiene goes hand in hand with personal hygiene. Through this collaboration with Unilever Ghana, we have provided sanitary pads, soap, Vaseline, and detergent to support the girls and help them remain clean and confident during menstruation,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to Unilever Ghana for supporting the initiative with nine boxes of Geisha soap, five boxes of Vaseline, and two bags of Omo detergent.
“We want to thank Unilever Ghana for partnering with us. The support will go a long way in helping the girls manage their menstrual hygiene and encourage regular school attendance,” she added.
The Bawku West District Public Health Nurse, Patience Abayom, said menstruation remains a natural biological process that many adolescent girls still face challenges managing due to stigma, inadequate information, and lack of access to sanitary products.
She explained that the Ghana Health Service, with support from World Vision Ghana and Unilever Ghana, used the occasion to engage students in interactive discussions on menstruation, personal hygiene, and the importance of supporting girls during their menstrual periods.
“We don’t just go to the schools to talk. We engage the students, allow them to share what they know, and then fill the knowledge gaps. We educate them on menstruation, personal hygiene, and the materials needed to manage menstruation safely,” she said.
Madam Abayom emphasized that boys were also included in the education sessions to help eliminate stigma and promote support for their female colleagues.
“In the past, girls who accidentally stained their uniforms were often ridiculed. Today, through education, boys are becoming more supportive and helping girls navigate menstruation safely and with dignity,” she noted.
She called for continued collaboration from development partners and corporate organizations to support menstrual hygiene interventions and adolescent health programmes.
Health Teacher at Tanga Junior High School, Dapila Felicia, commended World Vision Ghana and its partners for the intervention, describing it as a timely complement to existing efforts by the Ghana Education Service.
According to her, some girls still struggle to access sanitary products and often require assistance when they experience menstrual emergencies while in school.
She revealed that with sustained education, attitudes among male students have improved significantly, with some boys now supporting their female colleagues instead of mocking them.
The intervention also had a positive impact on the students. A Basic 7 pupil at Tanga JHS, Awinzoya Blessing, said the engagement had increased her understanding of menstruation and personal hygiene.
“I did not know much about menstruation and personal hygiene before, but now World Vision has educated me on these issues,” she said.
Another student, Aladako Mabel, a Basic 8 pupil at Tanga JHS, expressed appreciation to the organizers for the knowledge and support provided.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28 to promote good menstrual health and hygiene management while addressing stigma and barriers that affect girls and women around the world.
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