Staff Nurse of Bechem Government Hospital in the Ahafo region, Madam Abigail Afia Amankwaa has advised all females to ensure and maintain personal and menstrual hygiene in their menstrual period to avoid contraction of other infections.
Madam Abigail Amankwaa stressed that personal hygiene is very key when a female starts experiencing her first menstruation because it protects from many infections.
She also pleaded with mothers to take effective care of their girl-children by providing them with sanitary pads and educating them on how to use them to avert any menstrual-induced health complications.
”I am pleading that every mother should take very good care of their daughters by buying sanitary pads for them, checking them change their pads every day, bath and washing their private parts very well. And also we should eat good food and drink more water as well. We have to do exercise and keep a clear mind so that it can ensure an easy menstrual cycle.”
Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global advocacy platform that brings together non-profits, government agencies, individuals, the private sector and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene.
Observed on 28th May of each year, the theme for this year’s observation was “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030,”.
Meanwhile, campaigners in Ghana have been advocating for the removal of taxes on menstrual products. While government representative has spoken in favor of removing the tax, it remains and currently stands at 12,5% VAT, and 20% for import tax. Ghana’s latest population census shows that women are 51% of the population, so there is a real opportunity to address gender equality!
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Story by | Emmanuella Adu Gyamfi | univers.ug.edu.gh