Nyinahin: A District Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has called on parents, teachers, and community members to create a supportive and period-friendly environment for adolescent girls in schools, homes, and communities. Ms. Ama Adwubi Asafu-Adjaye, the Atwima Mponua District Education Director, made the appeal during a Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration organized by the Directorate at Nyinahin in the Ashanti Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Ms. Asafu-Adjaye emphasized the duty of community members to listen, teach, and offer support to ensure girls are protected, empowered, and respected. She urged stakeholders to disseminate accurate information and collectively work to dismantle the stigma surrounding menstruation. The Director highlighted the importance of providing access to clean and safe toilet and water facilities, as well as affordable sanitary products, to prevent girls from missing school or feeling ashamed during their periods.
Ms. Asafu-Adjaye stated, “Every girl deserves the right information, the right support, and the right products to manage her period with dignity and confidence.” She encouraged girls to embrace their menstrual cycles, learn about their bodies, take care of themselves, and support each other. She described menstruation as a natural growth phase and a symbol of strength rather than something to fear or be ashamed of.
She praised this year’s theme, ‘Together for a Period-Friendly World’, as timely and appropriate, noting that many girls still feel uncomfortable discussing menstruation. She emphasized that girls should be free to speak openly, learn confidently, and act boldly in their communities.
Ms. Margarete Nambu, the District Girls Education Coordinator, encouraged the girls to apply the lessons from the sensitization program. She highlighted that practicing good menstrual hygiene would help them navigate menstruation challenges and stay focused on their goals. Ms. Nambu also commended the Amanano Rural Bank in Nyinahin for its support, which included donating 1,000 sanitary pads to 1,000 girls from basic schools across the district.