AngloGold Ashanti gives out 1,500 sanitary pads    

AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine has distributed 1,500 sanitary pads to female students of six basic schools in its host communities to help improve menstrual hygiene among the students.

The mine also used the occasion to organise a two-day sensitisation and advocacy exercise to educate adolescent females to empower them to manage menstruation safely and hygienically with confidence and without shame.

In line with the mine’s Basic Education Improvement Programme and to promote diversity and inclusion, the company visited the Abompuniso, Wangarakrom, Bankyim, Akyempim, Teberebie and Adieyie basic schools to educate the female students on menstrual hygiene as part of its engagements to commemorate the Menstrual Hygiene Day to create awareness and highlight the importance of menstrual hygiene management.

Proper menstrual practices

Through interactive and informative presentations, the female students were enlightened on menstrual hygiene, items used during menstruation, proper practices in observing menstrual hygiene, the importance of menstrual hygiene and the effects of poor personal hygiene during menstruation.

There was also a demonstration on how to wear a sanitary pad by a group of seasoned community health nurses who were assigned to each school.

SDG 4

Delivering a speech on behalf of the acting managing director of the mine at the end of the exercise at the Adieyie Basic School, the Manager, Land Access and Social Investment at Iduapriem Mine, Mr Enoch Osei, reiterated the company’s commitment to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of lifelong learning opportunities in line with the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4).

SDG 4 is to "ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all". The goal has 10 targets which are measured by 11 indicators.

Girls in Ghana and many parts of the developing world face hindrances, including stigma when menstruating and inability to afford sanitary pads which keep them out of the classroom for weeks.

Commendation

For her part, the Municipal Director of Health for Tarkwa Nsuaem, Mrs Caroline Effah Otoo, lauded Iduapriem Mine for the initiative and implored parents to be powerful role models for their teenagers during their adolescent stage as they had an important influence on the child's values and long-term choices.

The Queenmother of the Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, Nana Abena Kunadjoa II, bemoaned the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy cases in the area and entreated female students to take their studies seriously and choose good female role models.

She also advised parents to develop bonds with their children, especially the girl child, to encourage them to share intimate problems without fear.