The Ghana Education Service, GES, has said the closure of schools may lead to fewer girls and boys having basic information about menstrual hygiene.
Today May 28, 2020, is Menstrual Hygiene Day. It is a day to celebrate women and girls, to discuss menstruation, and to advocate for more favorable conditions for the many women and girls in Ghana without access to basic information on menstrual hygiene management, dignified toilets, safe water, and safe sanitary hygiene materials.
The theme for this year is “It’s Time for Action”.
According to a statement issued by the GES,” This year’s celebration takes place in the context of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic – a health crisis which has thrown a spotlight on the importance of adequate water, sanitation and hygiene.”
According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2017/2018, (MICS 2017/18) in Ghana, fewer than one in two (48.5 %) of households have handwashing facilities with water and soap and one in three women do not have access to a toilet during menstruation. Many did not have access to sanitary products and managed their menses using unhygienic items like newspaper or leaves.
The GES says the economic and other social factors of COVID-19, including potential loss or reduction in family income, coupled with school closures and increase in the cost of commodities may result in many adolescent girls and women having less ability to afford or access relevant sanitary materials.
Also, the closure of schools may lead to fewer girls and boys having basic information about menstrual hygiene management.
There is a need to continue advocacy on the following:
Continuous education targeting girls, boy, and the parents
Provision of toilet facilities which are gender friendly with changing rooms
Easy accessibility to menstrual hygiene products, even during the COVID-19 pandemic
Demystification of myths and taboos connected with menstruation.
2020 Menstrual Hygiene Event
This year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day is being commemorated via social media, radio, and television broadcasts.
Activities include the following:
Webinar Seminar for the commemoration on the 28th May 2020 from 9:30 am-11:00ambroadcast online. The 90-minute event will include a keynote address delivered by the Hon. Minister of Education. Speakers and panelists from the Ghana Health Service, Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Ghana Education Service, UNICEF, CONIWAS, and other Development Partners.
Short films of well-known personalities from all sectors – including government ministers, religious and traditional leaders, adolescents and broadcasters – celebrating Menstrual Hygiene Day
Media interviews with representatives of the National Technical Committee on Menstrual Hygiene Management.
Social media influencer endorsement
Discussions on MHM on GTV Adult education program as post-MH Day activity
A post-activity will be conducted by SHEP Coordinators at the Regional and District level
We are grateful to the National Technical Committee on MHM as well as those who coordinated the program from the Ministry of Education / Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Health / Ghana Health Service, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources. Other partners include UNICEF, Greater Accra Metropolitan/Municipal Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project, World Bank, World Vision Ghana, WaterAid Ghana, Days for Girls, Global Communities, and USAID and Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS).
We urge them to continue their support.
ANTHONY BOATENG
DEPUTY DIRECTOR GENERAL (MS)
FOR: DIRECTOR-GENERAL
Source: Mybrytfmonline/Obed Ansah
