DBG spearheads menstrual hygiene campaign

By Elizabeth PUNSU, Tepa

Development Bank Ghana (DBG) has rolled out a nationwide menstrual hygiene campaign aimed at empowering adolescent girls and reducing period poverty, with plans to distribute 10,000 sanitary towels to senior high school students across the country.

The initiative, being undertaken in partnership with Special Lady – a philanthropist, was rolled out at Tepa Senior High School in the Ashanti Region as part of activities marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

Speaking to journalists, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) DBG, Barbara Ricketts, said the campaign seeks to educate students on menstrual hygiene management, address misconceptions surrounding menstruation and provide sanitary products to girls who may struggle to access them.

“We are here at Tepa SHS to celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day by sensitising students, educating them and listening to their concerns while sharing sanitary towels with them. We want them to understand how to keep themselves clean, what to do and what not to do during their menstrual periods,” she said.

According to her, menstruation remains a normal biological process that should not be associated with stigma or shame.

“We want to let them know that menstruation is normal and that every woman goes through it,” she added.

Ms. Ricketts noted that the campaign has already been implemented in parts of northern Ghana, including the Upper East and Northern Regions, where DBG engaged students on menstrual health and hygiene practices.

She said schools visited so far include Bolgatanga Senior High School, Tamale Senior High School and Tamale Business School, among others.

“DBG believes that when you empower young people, it leads to sustainable development. We also believe that one’s location should not be a barrier to accessing information and support. That is why we are travelling across the regions to educate, sensitise and empower girls while distributing sanitary towels,” she explained.

She disclosed that a total of 10,000 sanitary towels would be distributed nationwide under the programme.

The Senior Housemistress of Tepa SHS, Helen Baffoe, in an interview with the B&FT, commended DBG for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful.

“We thank DBG for this wonderful educational programme for both our girls and boys. Looking at the backgrounds of some of our students, this initiative will go a long way in enlightening them,” she said.

She said the inclusion of male students in the discussions was particularly important in helping to break stereotypes and reduce the stigma often associated with menstruation.

“This engagement with the boys will help remove the stigma and stereotypes surrounding menstruation. It will encourage understanding and support among students,” she said.

Ms. Baffoe revealed that some girls still resort to using inappropriate materials, including toilet rolls, during their menstrual periods due to limited access to sanitary products.

She, therefore, welcomed ongoing efforts to improve access to menstrual hygiene products in schools. She emphasised that such interventions would help safeguard the health, dignity and academic performance of female students.

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