The Chalk Talk Foundation, a non-government organisation, has organised ‘Clean the Red’ and ‘Girl Child Talk’ for adolescent girls, creating awareness on menstrual health.
The talk programme saw participation of school pupils from St. John’s Methodist Complex School, Graceland School, Manhean TMA 1, Adjetey Ansah JHS, and Agyiri Preparatory School, among others.
Mr. Richard Kwabena Nsarkoh, the Founder and Executive Officer of the Chalk Talk Foundation, noted that the initiative was to share sanitary pads with the less privileged girls in the various schools within the Tema metropolis and educate them about menstrual hygiene.
Mr. Nsarkoh stated that the theme for this year’s edition, “Empowering Girls, Restoring Dignity and Creating Change”, has been wonderful, indicating that the sole objective of the foundation was to share sanitary pads with young girls and educate them on menstrual health.
He said that this is to educate young girls by equipping them with knowledge, confidence and support to rise above their limitations imposed by gender and poverty.
He added that the foundation seeks to eradicate the mentality of girls being the weaker sex and, through this, raise global children with the necessary life skills and desirable skills to contribute significantly to nation building.
“Clean the Red has become more than a campaign but a movement to restore dignity and educate and empower girls to build a better future,” he noted.
Mr. Nsarkoh also reiterated that, to be able to create a safer and stronger community to give young girls the chance to build their future, they needed support from individuals, philanthropists, corporate bodies and other stakeholders.
He appealed to institutions and corporate Ghana to come to their aid and join them to change some stories together.
He again urged the girl child to make good decisions and be confident and bold, as they could do whatever they set their minds on.
Madam Hannah Kuyoe Beccles, the Girls Education Unit Coordinator for the Tema Metro Education Directorate, said girls tend to develop hormonal changes when menstruating and therefore need the love, attention and compassion they could get from their parents.
Madam Beccles urged the community to stop mistreating and exhibiting harshness towards girls but rather show them love, support, and exposure.
She said: “Let them know that a good life begins with good health and show them love and proper hygiene because a healthier Ghana depends on healthier individuals.”
Mr. Heneba Kwadwo Safo, the Founder and Leader of the Buzstopboys, also urged men and parents to support young girls when in their menses instead of portraying menstruation as dirty, adding that the menstrual cycle was the foundation of life.
Mr. Safo further advised that the society must re-echo and re-educate themselves to understand that the whole scientific existence of human beings is through the menstrual process of women.
Madam Bernadette Asiatu Shardow, the Founder and President of the Ed Nadette Foundation, mentioned that sexual harassment has become common in the country and therefore called on young girls to speak up when such things happen to them.
Madam Shardow stated that speaking up does not mean the person is gossiping, weak or fragile, but it is a means to protect oneself and others from such harassment.
She added that menstruation is not a bad thing and encouraged young girls to take care of their hygiene during that period, stressing that they should not be shy or use their menstruation period as a gateway to be lazy.