By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Navrongo (U/E), June 4, GNA-WaterAid Ghana, a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)-focused organisation, has intensified awareness on menstrual hygiene through an inter-school debate in the Upper East Region.
Organised in collaboration with its partners under the Sexual Health and Reproductive Education (SHARE) project formed part of activities to commemorate this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day
Held on the global theme “Together for a Period-Friendly Ghana,” the event brought together students, educators, health officials, and development partners in a unified call for menstrual equity and dignity.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Ms Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, Country Director of WaterAid Ghana, Ms Fauzia Aliu, Advocacy, Campaigns, and Inclusion Manager, WaterAid Ghana, emphasised the importance of recognising menstrual health not as a side issue, but as a central development and human rights concern.
“This debate is not just a competition. It is an opportunity for our vibrant students and emerging changemakers to challenge harmful myths, advocate policy and social change, and shape the national conversation around menstrual health,” she said.
The inter-school debate was one of several activities under the SHARE project, a five-year initiative (2021–2026) funded by Global Affairs Canada.
The project is being implemented by a consortium led by Right to Play, in partnership with WaterAid Ghana, the Forum for African Women Educationalists Ghana (FAWE-Ghana), and FHI360.
Its goal is to promote gender equality and advance health-related human rights, especially among adolescent girls and young women in Ghana.
Ms Aliu noted that stigma, lack of access to sanitary products, inadequate sanitation in schools, and harmful social norms continued to prevent many girls from realising their full potential.
“These are not just inconveniences. They are injustices,” she stressed. “And they affect attendance, confidence, and future aspirations.”
She explained that WaterAid Ghana is committed to integrating menstrual health into wider WASH and gender equality programmes, ensuring that girls are empowered with the knowledge, tools, and support they need to thrive.
Ms Aliu called on all stakeholders to continue pushing for action at all levels, policy, community, and household, to make schools safe, supportive, and inclusive spaces for menstruating students.
“Together, let us build a Ghana, where no one is ashamed of their period, where every girl can attend school with confidence, and where menstruation is recognised as a right, not a reason for exclusion,” she concluded.
Stakeholders at the event commended the SHARE project for raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and promoting the wellbeing, growth, and development of young people.
They pledged their continued support to ensure the project meets its objectives.
Participating schools in the inter-school debate included Bongo Senior High School (SHS), Chiana SHS, Sandema SHS, and Our Lady of Lourdes Girls SHS.
GNA
Edited by Fatima Anafu-Astanga/George-Ramsey Benamba
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
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