1,500 Girls Benefit from Menstrual Hygiene Initiative

The Marigold Foundation has distributed sanitary pads to 1,500 girls in the Agona East District of the Central Region. According to Mrs. Justina Marigold Assan, the foundation's founder, this initiative is part of their annual Menstrual Hygiene and Advocacy Drive.

Mrs. Assan expressed satisfaction with the level of awareness demonstrated by the girls regarding menstrual health and hygiene. "I was personally enthused and happy that the girls are aware of what they are going through and understand the importance of keeping themselves clean during menstruation," she said.

The Marigold Foundation also used the opportunity to educate the girls on personal hygiene and responsible behaviour. Mrs. Assan stressed that menstrual hygiene advocacy should go beyond the distribution of sanitary pads and include mentorship and support systems that would enable girls to navigate adolescence with confidence.

Some beneficiaries described the initiative as timely, noting that access to sanitary pads remains a challenge for many girls in their communities. They said the donation would ease the financial burden on their families and enable them to pursue their education with greater confidence and dignity.

### A Call to Action for Parents and Leaders

Mrs. Assan appealed to parents, guardians, educators, religious leaders, chiefs, queen mothers, and community leaders to support menstrual health education and advocacy efforts. "We are pleading with parents and leaders to give our young girls a listening ear. They need support, guidance, and education. Although many of them are aware of the challenges they face, they still want to have these conversations with their parents at home," she said.

### Education for Girls Must Be Protected

The Marigold Foundation stressed that menstrual hygiene advocacy should go beyond the distribution of sanitary pads and include mentorship and support systems that would enable girls to navigate adolescence with confidence. This initiative aims to prevent early marriages, teen pregnancies, and other negative consequences of poor menstrual health.

### Background The Marigold Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting underserved communities through education, health, and social intervention programmes aimed at improving lives and promoting community development.

### Statistics

  • 1500 girls received sanitary pads from the Marigold Foundation.
  • 50% of beneficiaries are between the ages of 10-14.
  • The initiative is part of the foundation's annual Menstrual Hygiene and Advocacy Drive.

### Key Facts There are many things happening on social media, and some of these girls do not receive adequate guidance from their parents on these issues. I am calling on individuals and institutions to support our advocacy drive and help establish mentoring programmes in schools to keep girls away from harmful practices.