Rotaract Clubs tackle Menstrual Hygiene Project
Rotaract Clubs Tackle Menstrual Hygiene Project
The Rotaract Club of London and the Rotaract Club of Accra Ring Road Central, Ghana, are leading a Menstrual Hygiene project in Ghana. There focus is on school-aged girls in rural communities of Ghana.
Working with multiple partners, read how these Rotaract Clubs have a well thought out plan.
With limited access to sanitary products, lack of information on menstrual health, and dealing with the stigma surrounding periods, many girls use unsafe period management methods. These practices put the girls at risk of infections and keep them from attending school during their periods for fear of leaks.
When girls skip school, for up to a week, while on their periods, they start to fall behind and eventually drop out. With menstrual hygiene kits, clean washrooms, girls stay in school longer, become better educated, get married later , have fewer children, and earn more over their lifetime.
A community needs assessment identified the areas most in need, being rural areas in the north of Ghana and in the urban areas of Accra, Volta, and Ashanti. Their initial target is 200 girls in four communities.
A significant side benefit of this project is the employment of local women to sew the sanitary pads, using locally sourced fabrics. Local women are also hired to create menstrual hygiene kits. Already, over 1,000 pads have been created. Sessions on entrepreneurial skills are provided to assist them in establishing their businesses.
With the implementation of the program, training will be provided to the girls in the schools on how to use the menstrual kits. The project is also identifying students that have been affected by not having menstrual products, providing them with educational materials and assist them back into school.
If you would like to donate to this project or want more information, contact the Rotaract Club of London at rotaract.londonclub@gmail.com
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