In a bid to promote girls’ education and menstrual health, the Paramount Chief of Abeadze Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, has pledged to work with fellow traditional leaders to ensure compulsory monthly distribution of sanitary pads to schools.
According to Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, this initiative will make school girls more comfortable and encourage them to learn, ultimately securing a brighter future. He made this call during the launch of the “Fill the Pad Bank Initiative” organized by the Mfantseman Municipal Directorate of Education.
Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII emphasized his personal interest in the project and pledged the traditional council’s support for its successful implementation. He also appealed to the general public and corporate bodies to donate to the pad bank.
“I have a personal interest in this all-important project, and I pledge the traditional council’s support for its successful implementation,” Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII revealed. “I will engage with my fellow Paramount Chiefs from other traditional councils in Mfantseman to support this initiative.”
The Girls Education Officer at Mfantseman Education Directorate, Madam Cynthia Buckman, echoed Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII’s sentiments, stating that the pad bank initiative would help girls meet their menstrual needs, especially in rural communities where they cannot afford sanitary pads.
“The pad bank initiative would help girls meet their needs as they go through their menstrual cycle, especially in rural communities where they could not afford sanitary pads,” Madam Buckman stated. “As a Girls Education Officer, I thought it wise to rescue girls from being one week absent from school just because of menstrual period by coming out with this ‘fill the pad bank’ initiative because Menstrual health should never be a barrier to a girl’s future.”
Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII observed that due to the lack of sanitary pads, some female students drop out of school, thereby becoming a burden on their families, society, and the country as a whole.
The program was well attended by some heads of schools, Mfantseman Municipal Director of Education, Mr. Ransford Appiah, PTA executives, students, traditional rulers, and teachers among others.
The “Fill the Pad Bank Initiative” aims to provide sanitary pads to school girls, promoting menstrual health and hygiene, and reducing absenteeism and dropout rates. The initiative is expected to benefit thousands of school girls in the Mfantseman Municipality.
In addition, the initiative seeks to break the stigma surrounding menstruation and promote a culture of inclusivity and support for girls’ education.
Madam Buckman noted that the Mfantseman Education Directorate has encountered absenteeism and dropout challenges in schools within the municipality due to the negative social norms surrounding menstrual hygiene management.
“Menstrual health should never be a barrier to a girl’s future,” Madam Buckman emphasized. “We must work together to provide girls with the necessary support and resources to succeed in school and beyond.”
The “Fill the Pad Bank Initiative” is a significant step towards promoting girls’ education and menstrual health in the Mfantseman Municipality. With the support of traditional leaders, educators, and the community, the initiative is poised to make a positive impact on the lives of thousands of school girls.
Furthermore, the initiative is expected to have a ripple effect on the community, promoting a culture of menstrual health and hygiene, and reducing the stigma surrounding menstruation.
In his closing remarks, Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII urged the community to support the initiative, stating that “every girl deserves to have access to sanitary pads, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that they do.”
Mr. Ransford Appiah, Mfantseman Municipal Director of Education, also advised the students to take their studies seriously and make good use of the sanitary pads provided. “Education is the key to unlocking your future, and we must do everything possible to support you,” he said.
The “Fill the Pad Bank Initiative” is a testament to the power of community-led initiatives in promoting girls’ education and menstrual health. As the initiative continues to gain momentum, it is clear that it will have a lasting impact on the lives of thousands of school girls in the Mfantseman Municipality.
The initiative is also expected to inspire other traditional leaders and communities to take action in promoting girls’ education and menstrual health.
As Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII noted, “the time to act is now, and together, we can make a difference in the lives of our girls and women.”
