Sunyani: Ms Precious Mariam Hamidu, Executive Director of the Alliance for Women Opportunities and Development (AFOWD), has called for girls to be empowered to break barriers and thereby tackle societal myths and misconceptions about menstruation. That, she said, would uphold and preserve the dignity of girls.
According to Ghana News Agency, in an interview to mark the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day, Ms Hamidu stressed the need to "normalise conversations about menstruation to foster and deepen societal understanding." She highlighted the theme for the 2025 celebration, "Together for a Period-Friendly World," emphasizing the importance of education, advocacy, and community support in creating an environment where people can speak freely about menstruation without shame.
Ms Hamidu reaffirmed the Alliance's commitment to ending stigma around menstruation and ensuring that society recognizes menstruation as a "natural and dignified part of life." She stated that "every girl deserves access to safe, hygienic, and affordable menstrual products," and emphasized that menstruation is not only a health issue but also a human rights issue.
She called on the government to make menstrual products affordable for girls, particularly those in rural and low-income communities. Ms Hamidu also stressed the need for creating supportive spaces in homes, schools, and workplaces where girls would feel comfortable discussing their reproductive health needs.
Acknowledging the importance of cultural sensitivity in addressing menstruation, she noted that "understanding community-specific beliefs and challenges allows us to proffer solutions." She urged the nation to prioritize the reproductive health needs of girls as a key element in achieving gender equality.
