STATE OF WATER,SANITATION AND HYGIENE (WASH) FACILITIES IN SCHOOLS, AND THEIR EFFECTS ON MENSTRUATING GIRLS



Are you aware that?

📌 66% of girls in public schools do not use their school toilet facilities when in their periods either due to lack of privacy, lack of water to flush, dirty environment or fear of falling through squat holes.

 📌 7% of girls in private schools are unable to use their school toilet facilities either due to sight of used sanitary pads all around, toilet not frequently flushed and the stench from the washroom.

📌 Most girls send their used sanitary pads home because of lack of proper disposal facilities in the schools and the fear that their used pads will be used for rituals.

🔍In a nutshell, there are inadequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) facilities in schools accounting for absenteeism, low self esteem and loss of concentration due to fear of period accidents and poor menstrual hygiene.

As we approach Menstrual Hygiene Day,2020(themed; It’s time for Action), the Youth Advisory Board of Marie Stopes Ghana acknowledges that there is the urgent need to walk the talk to addressing the challenges and hardships many girls and women face during their menstruation.

Remember, we all have a role to play in making girls and women feel safe during their menstruation. What can you do as an individual to ensure that girls and women are safe during their menstruation?

Kindly join the ongoing conversation on periods ahead of Menstrual Hygiene Day on our social media handles
Facebook- Marie Stopes Ghana
Instagram- @mariestopes_ghana
Twitter- @MarieStopes_Gh

#MHD2020
#ItsTimeForAction
#PeriodsInPandemics

Call us for FREE on 0800208585 OR send us a WhatsApp message on 0556489090 to know more.
#ChoiceNotChance
#Youth4Choice

References: Acheampong et al; WASH infrastructure  and  menstrual  hygiene  management in  basic  schools:  a  study  in  Kumasi,  Ghana (2018)

UNICEF; Ghana Research Briefs (Menstrual hygiene; challenges, taboos and impact on Girl’s education-2016)


CREDITS: Abdul-Hanan Saani Inusah- Youth Advisory Board Member
                   Dzidzor Kwamuar- PRO

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