A photo from the event
A dedicated non-governmental organization, Total Woman Network, is addressing menstrual hygiene and management, teenage pregnancy, and HIV awareness for adolescent girls. By providing sanitary pads and comprehensive HIV education, Total Woman Network is improving the health, dignity, and future prospects of young Ghanaian girls.
In many areas, menstruation is stigmatized and misunderstood, with a lack of access to hygienic menstrual products posing significant barriers to education and social participation. To combat this, the NGO dispatched free sanitary pads and toiletries to schools and underprivileged communities, promoting long-term menstrual hygiene and management. Total Woman Network also introduced 'Pad Banks' for sustainable period solutions in schools and communities.
In addition to menstrual hygiene, the NGO addressed teenage pregnancy and HIV awareness and prevention. Adolescents, especially girls, are vulnerable to HIV due to various factors. Total Woman Network's HIV education program equipped young people with accurate information about transmission, prevention, and treatment, collaborating with healthcare professionals to provide workshops on safe sex practices, testing, and antiretroviral therapy.
The Girl Pad Project, running for several years, seeks sponsors, partnerships, and collaborations. Integrating menstrual hygiene and management, teenage pregnancy prevention, and HIV sensitization into a cohesive framework, the Founder of Total Woman Network, Lady Edna Quartey, said, can enhance the effectiveness of interventions. Educating teenagers about abstinence and safe sex practices, she said, includes the use of condoms, regular testing, and the importance of antiretroviral therapy for those living with HIV, which can significantly reduce transmission rates.
Speaking on teenage health, Lady Edna and her team stated that adolescence is a critical period for physical development. She said proper personal hygiene and regular physical activity are essential for healthy growth and development.
The educational workshops were held at several schools: Ndoda D/A JHS/Primary School in Nsawam, Danso D/A Anglican JHS and Primary School, and Tortibo Presby JHS/Primary School, all located in Nsawam in the Eastern Region, as well as the Teshie Camp 2 Cluster of Schools and the Teshie LEKMA Southern Cluster of Schools in the Greater Accra Region.
