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Story by, Nsor Paul Mensah
Journalists from across Ghana gathered in Accra for a comprehensive training session on menstrual health management and advocacy, organized by the Ghana CSOs Platform on SDGs.
The workshop aimed to equip journalists with specialized knowledge to become advocates for menstrual hygiene awareness and report effectively on related issues.
Key Highlights
Breaking Stigmas: Journalists learned about critical challenges, including cultural myths and economic barriers to accessing sanitary products, and the importance of destigmatizing menstruation.
Period Poverty: The training addressed period poverty, advocating for accessible sanitary products, proper wash facilities, and support for girls and women during their menstrual cycles.
Government Initiative: The government's recent initiative to provide free sanitary pads was highlighted as a positive step towards improving menstrual health.
Archibald Adams, Oxfam Ghana's Communications Lead and member of CSOs Platform on SDGs stressed that menstruation is not just a women's issue, but a concern for everyone. "Menstruation is not just a women's issue, but a concern for everyone."
He called on journalists to use their platforms to educate the public and challenge negative cultural norms.
Corporate institutions were encouraged to support menstrual health by providing sanitary products in washrooms and creating supportive environments for women.
Levlyn Konadu Asiedu, National Coordinator for CSOs Platform on SDGs emphasized that journalists are crucial agents of change, capable of transforming public perception through responsible reporting. The training highlighted the need to involve entire communities, particularly boys and men, in menstrual health discussions.
The training emphasized the need to involve entire communities, particularly boys and men, in menstrual health discussions. Participants were encouraged to use their media platforms to promote awareness and advocate for improved menstrual health management across Ghana, aligning with the goal of creating a "period-friendly world" where menstruation is discussed openly and without stigma.
The training workshop is part of the Youth for Health Project co-funded by the European Commission and supported by the CSOs Platform on the SDGs