Akim-Oda: The Santé Initiative distributes sanitary pads to over 1,000 SHS girls

Good menstrual health and hygiene practices can prevent infections, reduce odors, and help you stay comfortable during the period. Menstrual hygiene remains a significant challenge for many girls in Ghana, with limited access to affordable and safe menstrual products.

For this reason, The Santé Initiative, a non-profit organization devoted to promoting better health and well-being of women and girls in Ghana, has distributed over 1,000 sanitary pads to girls at the Attafuah Senior High Technical School in Akim-Oda.

The gesture was as part of the organization’s activities to mark this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration. This coincides with the 40th birthday of the Founder and President of The Santé Initiative, Dr. Nana Efa Attafua, hence the decision to give back to society.

The female students received much-needed donations of disposable pads, period panties, wipes, and pain medications.

The project, dubbed “Time of the Month” (T.O.M), focuses on supporting poor girls during their ‘period’ and educate them on menstrual hygiene.

Speaking at the event, Dr. Nana Efa Attafua, a US-trained Pharmacist, said she was bent on improving the health and well-being of women and girls in Ghana.

According to her, recognizing the importance of menstrual hygiene and the impact it has on girls’ education and empowerment, she decided to provide sustainable solutions for girl due to poverty.

She said the distribution of products was to help girls meet their needs as they go through their menstrual cycle, especially in rural communities where they could not afford sanitary pads.

Dr. Nana Efa Attafua also urged traditional leaders and authorities to educate society to break the silence and taboo, raise awareness and change negative social norms surrounding menstrual hygiene management, especially among boys and men.

The students expressed gratitude to her for the kind gesture.