World Menstrual Hygiene Day: Gender Minister urges empowerment of children through education

The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, has called for the empowerment of children, particularly girls, through education, to help them understand their rights and protect themselves against sexual abuse.

She emphasised the importance of ensuring that every child grows up in a safe environment, free from harm, abuse and exploitation while advocating increased awareness and education as essential tools in safeguarding children and promoting their well-being.

"Every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment, free from harm, abuse, exploitation or violence. The fight against sexual abuse begins with awareness and education," she said.

"We must empower our children to understand their rights, to speak up and to know that there are laws and support systems in place to protect them. 

Event

Dr Lartey made these remarks at an event organised by Touching The Lives of Girls Foundation (TLGF) International, a non-governmental organisation, to mark this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene, Sexual Abuse, and Financial Literacy Day in Accra last Friday.

A section of students seated at the event. Picture: ESTHER ADJORKOR ADJEI

The event, which was on the theme: "Menstrual Hygiene and Sexual Abuse Talk: Breaking the Silence", brought together over 2,000 students from senior and junior high schools across the Greater Accra Region for mentorship and education.

In attendance were the Teiko Tsuru Manye, Naa Opronye Afi II; the Founder of Salt and Light Ministries, Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee; the Member of Parliament for Jomoro, Dorcas Toffey; the  Founder and President of TLGF, Nana Ama Adutwumwaa, and Gynaecologist/Obstetrician, Dr John Bosomtwe.

Dignity

She noted that this year’s theme: “Making Menstruation a Normal Fact of Life by 2030”, is more than a call to action—it represented a commitment to dignity, inclusion and equality.

“Menstruation is a natural biological process, and no girl should ever be made to feel unworthy, excluded or ashamed because of it,” she affirmed.

The minister added that the MoGCSP, as the lead government agency for promoting gender issues in Ghana, had harmonised and mainstreamed gender considerations into social protection programmes to effectively support and protect the vulnerable and marginalised, contributing to national development.

"We are proud to stand at the forefront of efforts to improve Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) across Ghana and believe that ensuring access to menstrual products, accurate information and safe sanitary facilities is not only a health issue but it is a human rights issue," she said.

She also highlighted the launch of the National Sanitary Pad Distribution Programme in April, which aimed to support two million schoolgirls, as a clear demonstration of the government's commitment to improving women's health and empowerment.

Continued Impact

The Founder and President of Touching The Lives of Girls Foundation (TLGF) International, Nana Ama Adutwumwaa, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to advocating menstrual freedom for Ghanaian girls, despite the challenges faced over the years.

She noted that since the inception of the conference eight years ago, TLGF has toured six regions across the country, raising awareness and supporting schoolchildren.

The foundation now aims to expand its outreach to the remaining ten regions to maximise its impact.

“It's as important as getting the President to include it in his manifesto and implement it.

That’s how crucial it is,” she emphasised, adding: “We have successfully made menstruation a national topic over the past eight years, and we’re proud that it’s now widely discussed.”