Gender Minister Calls for End to Menstrual Stigma

Accra: Madam Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has called for an end to the stigma surrounding menstruation, emphasizing the need to normalize the biological process among girls.According to Ghana News Agency, she highlighted that menstruation is a natural and essential part of life and must not be a source of shame, fear, or discrimination. Many girls in various communities face stigma, miss school, suffer in silence, or resort to unsafe methods due to a lack of access to sanitary products and information.The Minister made these remarks at a forum organized by Touching the Lives of Girls Foundation, a non-governmental organization focused on educating and empowering young girls on menstrual hygiene and sexual abuse. The event, themed 'Menstrual Hygiene and Sexual Abuse Talk: Breaking the Silence,' brought together key stakeholders, including traditional authorities, Members of Parliament, health professionals, and youth advocates.Madam Lartey reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring that girls have access to safe menstrual products, accurate information, and public education on the issue. She emphasized the government's aim to make menstruation a normal part of life by 2030, stating that this is a commitment to dignity, inclusion, and equality.The minister also stressed the importance of nationwide awareness on sexual abuse, advocating for legal safeguards and education of children on their rights to prevent abuse and empower victims.Naa Opronye Afi II, Queen Mother of Teiko Tsuru We of the Ga State, called for the advancement of girl-child education. She proposed a national conference to develop a comprehensive strategy for girls' education and empowerment, highlighting the cultural significance of the Dipo traditional rite of the GaDangmes in educating girls about self-care, personal hygiene, and future aspirations.Naa Opronye pledged continued support from traditional authorities to both parents and the government in efforts to educate and emp ower girls. Madam Dorcas Toffey, the Member of Parliament for Jomoro, addressed mental health, encouraging girls to recognize their emotional struggles and seek help when needed. She urged the girls to build supportive friendships and nurture a culture of genuine care.Dr. John Bosomtwe, a Gynaecologist and Obstetrician at the St. Dominic Hospital in Akwatia, advised the girls to be confident and open about their menstrual health. He stressed the importance of including boys and teachers in conversations on menstrual hygiene to foster a supportive school environment and dismantle societal stigma.Nana Ama Adutwumwaa, the Founder of Touching Lives of Girls Foundation, recounted her own challenges with menstrual health, which inspired the foundation's establishment in 2016. She emphasized the need to break the silence around menstruation and ensure girls understand their bodies from both personal and scientific perspectives.