The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Ghana Chapter joined students and staff of Diaspora Girls Senior High School (SHS) to commemorate International Menstrual Hygiene Day, emphasizing education, dignity, and breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation.
The event, held on Thursday May 28, 2026, under the global theme “Together for a Period FriendlyWorld”, featured interactive sessions, health talks, distribution of sanitary pads, and advocacy activities aimed at empowering girls to manage their periods confidently without missing school.
Diaspora Girls SHS, located at Obodan in the Akuapem South Municipality of the Eastern Region, holds special significance as it was founded by FAWE Ghana Chapter in 2002 (initially as Nsaba Diaspora Community Secondary) to promote girls’ education and excellence.
Mrs Marian Akorkor Tackie, the Chairperson of the Chapter commended the partnership with the school and stressed the importance of menstrual health management in keeping girls in school.
“Menstruation should never be a barrier to education. Through initiatives like this, we are not only providing sanitary products but also equipping our girls with accurate knowledge to manage their health with dignity and confidence,” she said.
The programme included demonstrations on proper use of sanitary pads, reusable options, and menstrual cups, as well as open discussions involving the students to foster understanding and reduce stigma. Health professionals addressed myths and cultural taboos that continue to affect girls in rural communities.
Students expressed gratitude for the support. One student shared her experience during menstruation:
“I used to feel ashamed and sometimes stayed home during my period. Today I’ve learned that it’s natural and I now know how to manage it properly. Thank you FAWE and our school for this.”
The School prefect Jackline Asantewaa Appiah expressed gratitude to the Chapter and appealed for basic social amenities affecting their studies.
The Headmistress of the Diaspora Girls SHS Ms Patience Naki Mensah also used the occasion to call on government, corporate organisations, and development partners to scale up investments in menstrual health, including consistent supply of quality sanitary products to schools, improved WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) and infrastructures to fast track learning.
The celebration aligns with national efforts in Ghana to create a “Period-Friendly Ghana,” where no girl is left behind due to her menstrual cycle.
FAWE Ghana Chapter remains committed to its mission of advancing girls’ and women’s education across the country through policy advocacy, mentorship, and direct interventions in schools like Diaspora Girls SHS.
Filed by: Kwame Adom
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