The Janet Asare Foundation (JAF) has organized its maiden workshop on menstrual hygiene for basic school pupils at the Tosen-Nanyor Presby School and its environs in the Asuogyaman District of the Eastern Region.
The workshop was aimed at sensitizing adolescent pupils, especially the girl child, on menstrual experience, promoting safe menstrual health, and instilling some sense of pride in the girls during the menstrual stage of their developmental milestone.
The workshop also aimed at demystifying and dispelling the myth and negative notions associated with menstruation. The workshop was organized by Mr. Emmanuel Asare Owusu, a social worker and a lecturer at Central University, and supported by Mrs. Felicia Asante Amo, Mrs. Lucie Walsh and Mrs. Joanna Cannon and Mr. Patrick Asare-Manso.
According to Mr. Asare Owusu, menstrual health of young girls is a very critical and delicate issue that require prompt attention once a girl attains the age of puberty. He revealed that girls in the communities are adversely affected during the period of menstruation. The cost of pads and tampoons serve as disincentive for vulnerable, poor girls, who lack the financial wherewithal. Thus, they [girls] must be supported to enable them successfully navigate their way during this moment of their lives.
He expressed concern over the situation where, in this era, girls in the communities resort to pieces of old cloths and toilet rolls during menstruation. Some girls are compelled to go to their boyfriends for support to meet their menstrual demands. The unavailability of washrooms in schools to accommodate the privacy of girls during menstruation, increasing case of teenage pregnancy and poor students’ retention, according to Mr. Owusu, remain a source of concern. He encouraged the community members to garner resources in order to support a safe and dignifying menstrual experience for the girl child.
The colorful workshop was held for over 120 girls drawn from schools including Tosen-Nanyor Presby School, Dodi Asantekrom School, Anum Anglican School, and Boso Presby Preparatory School and Boso D/A Basic School.
As part of the workshop, high-quality sanitary pads valued at about six thousand Ghana Cedis (GHC6,000) were distributed to all the participants at the workshop.
In addition, diaries, pens and note making highlighters were donated to the pupils. Speaking at the menstrual hygiene workshop, Mr. Owusu, the founder of the JAF group, encouraged girls aged 11 to 16 years, to feel proud about their menstrual experience and not feel ashamed of it, since menstruation is a biological and natural experience that signify proper development of a female, and prepares one for motherhood when matured enough.
“Be proud of yourself when you find yourself at this stage of your life, do not feel shy or embarrassed since there is nothing wrong with menstruating; talk about it and seek help from your teachers and parents when you need it”, he charged them. Mr. Asare Owusu used the workshop to register girls who are in dire need of support to meet their menstrual needs, so that regular help will be offered them.
The girls were counselled not to see menstruation milestone as a period to start engaging in premature sex and reckless relationship. Instead, the girls ought to to use such periods of their lives to learn good manners and responsible behaviour, deepen their civic mindset and focus on their goals and future aspirations.
Mr. Asare Owusu advised them to see this milestone as a period to identify positive role models in their communities and begin living lives that are worthy of emulation. He charged school authorities to establish menstrual health peer groups to help educate the girls on menstrual health issues.
At the event, the pupils demonstrated appreciable understanding of menstrual experience but exhibited shyness and expressed fear of discussing or sharing menstrual experience with others. They were however grateful for the items they received, especially the sanitary pads, and hoped that such support will come regularly considering the fact that menstruation is not an event but a routine experience that require sustained support.
The event was graced by key personalities including the Akwamuhemaa of Asebi, Nana Abena Adobea I, who chaired the event; the chief of Nanyor and Benkumhene of the Boso-Gua Traditional Area, Okogyeaman Nana Gyau Ahima VI; the Member of Parliament for the Asuogyaman Constituency, Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko; Inspiration and spirit behind the Foundation, Madam Janet Asare; President of the Tosen Development Association, Mr. Kwame Afari; The Girl Child Coordinator of the District, Mavis Akonnor; The SISO of Anum-Boso zone,Mr. Richard Okine; Headmaster of the Tosen-Nanyor Presby School, teachers from the various schools, parents and representatives of the Parents-Teacher Association (PTA) and (SMC) of the schools.
The community expressed deep joy and appreciation to Mr. Owusu and the Foundation for such empathetic gesture and kindness.
The Janet Asare Foundation (JAF) is a community-based organization established by Mr. Emmanuel Asare Owusu to promote and advance the wellbeing of children along four key thematic areas: Education, Health, Skills Development and Proper Social Development.