Janok Foundation Collaborates with KATECO Students for 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day

Accra: The Janok Foundation, a health-focused NGO, in partnership with Fibroid Foundation Africa, marked the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day alongside students of Kaneshie Secondary Technical School in Accra. This initiative is part of an international effort to highlight menstrual hygiene and fibroid awareness, advocating for a world where menstruation does not hinder equality and dignity.According to Ghana News Agency, May 28 is globally recognized as Menstrual Hygiene Day, dedicated to raising awareness and promoting menstrual health as a public health and human rights issue. Madam Jane Amerley Oku, CEO of Janok Foundation, emphasized the importance of addressing menstrual health challenges that millions of girls and women face, including stigma and inadequate access to basic menstrual products and facilities. She highlighted the Foundation's commitment to empowering individuals with knowledge and resources to challenge myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation.Madam Patricia Twum, a Midwife at Mamp robi Hospital and a Fibroid Ambassador, discussed the connection between fibroids and menstruation, stressing the significance of these topics affecting many women. She explained that fibroids, or uterine leiomyomas, are noncancerous growths in the uterus composed of smooth muscle cells and fibrous tissue, and they can vary significantly in size. Twum noted that fibroids predominantly affect women of black descent, and ongoing research aims to identify their precise causes.Twum further elaborated on factors associated with fibroid development, including age, ethnicity, lifestyle, diet, genetics, and healthcare access. She detailed how hormonal changes, particularly involving estrogen and progesterone, as well as obesity and genetic predisposition, can influence fibroid growth patterns, which may be unpredictable.Concluding the event, the Janok Foundation distributed free sanitary pads to students, reinforcing their commitment to supporting menstrual hygiene education and accessibility.