By Samira Larbie, GNA
Ayikuma, May 29, GNA –More than 550 adolescents in Ayikuma in the Shai Osudoku District have received menstrual health education from the Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights (ARHR) as part of activities marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The outreach sought to promote menstrual health awareness, challenge harmful myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation, and address menstrual stigma among school children.
Students from Ayikuma Methodist School, Ayikuma Catholic School, and Ayikuma R/C Basic School participated in the educational sessions, which focused on menstrual hygiene management, puberty education, personal hygiene, and the need to create supportive environments for girls during menstruation.
A key highlight of the outreach was the active involvement of boys in the discussions, with organisers stressing the importance of educating boys to help reduce teasing, discrimination, and stigma against girls in schools.
Madam Gracelove Adjeson, a Public Health Nurse who facilitated the sessions, encouraged students to understand that menstruation was a normal biological process that should never attract shame, mockery, or discrimination.
She educated the students on proper menstrual hygiene practices, including the safe use and disposal of sanitary pads, maintaining personal cleanliness during menstruation, and the importance of supporting girls emotionally and socially during their periods.
To make the session more practical and interactive, Madam Adjeson demonstrated the proper use of sanitary pads with the assistance of one boy and one girl, an approach aimed at normalising menstrual health conversations and encouraging empathy and support among boys.
The event also saw the ARHR distribute more than 300 sanitary pads to girls to support safe and dignified menstrual hygiene management, particularly for students who may face challenges accessing menstrual products.
Ms Doris Ampong, Communications Manager at ARHR, said menstrual health education remained essential in protecting the dignity, confidence, health, and academic performance of adolescent girls.
She observed that many girls continued to miss school or feel uncomfortable in learning environments because of stigma, inadequate information, and lack of access to menstrual products.
“Menstruation is a natural biological process and should never become a reason for shame, exclusion, or discrimination against girls.
We believe that when boys are leducated alongside girls, they become part of the solution in creating safer and more supportive school environments,” she stated.
Ms Zillah Nyakor, District Director of Education, commended ARHR for bringing the initiative to the district and described menstrual health education as an important aspect of adolescent wellbeing and academic development.
She urged students to take their lessons seriously, practice proper hygiene, respect one another, and contribute to eliminating menstrual stigma in schools and communities.
Ms Nyakor also encouraged teachers and parents to create safe spaces for adolescents to openly discuss reproductive health and hygiene issues without fear or embarrassment.
The outreach formed part of ARHR’s broader advocacy and community engagement efforts aimed at advancing adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights, promoting menstrual dignity, and ensuring that no girl was left behind because of menstruation-related challenges.
GNA
Reporter: Samira Larbie