World Menstrual Hygiene Day Marked
World Menstrual Hygiene Day which falls on May 28 this year has been marked at KNUST on May 27, 2022 with a talk on Menstrual Hygiene and Sexual Abuse.
The occasion on the theme, “Breaking the Silence” saw the attendance of Her Royal Highness and the Patron of Touching the Lives of Girls Foundation (TLGF), Lady Julia Osei Tutu, as the special guest of honour together with the president of the Foundation, Nana Ama Adutwumwaa, DSP Afia Tenge, the President of the STEM initiative, Prof Ibok Oduro, Dr John K. Bosomtwe and other regional educational officers.
According to Prof Oduro, menstruation is a blessing from God and thus encouraged the girl students to embrace it without shyness encouraging the use of technology and social media for increasing awareness of sexual abuse whilst desisting from “domesticating such cases.”
“Let’s take advantage of technology and social media to increase awareness about sexual abuse and gender based violence issues, lets desist from domesticating these issues and reports to the appropriate authority, police or hospital as soon as possible and make available the needed funding to support affected victims, remember no one has the right to touch you inappropriately, if you see something say something.
She called for the availability of funding for sexual abuse victims.
She noted, “Addressing issues concerning menstrual hygiene and sexual abuse is highly therapeutic for both men and women” as a result called for a team effort in fighting the menace.
The Volta Regional Public Affairs Director for the Ghana Police Service, DSP Afia Tenge in her speech also informed the girls to report all cases of sexual abuse to the police service but with evidence. She says evidence in such cases is needful and must not be destroyed as is mostly experienced in the service.
She also cautioned that girls desist from posting nude pictures on the internet and also beware of online sexual predators.
Dr John K. Bosomtwe delivering his speech on menstrual hygiene indicated that it can be achieved when there is access to safe menstrual materials, access to soap and water, access to safe menstrual management materials/disposals.
He further said that, menstrual hygiene cannot be achieved without the proper flow of water and therefore the sanitation and water ministry cannot be left out when it comes to the discussion.
Source: Opemsuo.com/ Monica M. Appiah Manu
