Universal Child Care Foundation empowers school girls in Afife with menstrual hygiene education
Afife V/R – Wednesday 28th May, 2025
In commemoration of the 2025 World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Universal ChildCare Foundation has launched a transformative outreach programme in the Afife community, located in the Ketu North Constituency of Ghana’s Volta Region. The initiative aims to combat period poverty and promote menstrual health awareness among school-aged girls in rural areas.
Known for its commitment to child welfare and girls’ empowerment, the Foundation organized a Menstrual Hygiene Advocacy and Pad Sharing Programme that benefitted over 700 adolescent girls from seven basic schools in the area.
The outreach was designed not only to distribute essential sanitary products but also to educate young girls on proper menstrual hygiene, boosting their confidence and helping them manage their periods with dignity. More than 1,500 sanitary pads were distributed to schools including Afife R.C Primary and JHS, Afife E.P Primary and JHS, Afornyaga Basic School, Ewu Logui Basic School, and Eleme Sovi Basic School.
Mrs. Emefa Quashie Agbana, Executive Director of the Foundation, emphasised the need to break the stigma surrounding menstruation in her address.
“No girl should be forced to miss school or feel ashamed because of her period. We are here to remind every girl that menstruation is not a curse or a burden. It is natural, and it should not be a barrier to their dreams,” she said.
Globally, more than 500 million women and girls lack access to adequate menstrual hygiene facilities and products. In Ghana alone, an estimated 95,000 girls miss school each year due to menstruation-related challenges. Many resort to unsafe alternatives such as rags, leaves, and tissue paper, which increase their risk of infection and school absenteeism.
A key highlight of the Afife outreach was the inclusion of boys in the educational sessions — a strategic move to challenge taboos and foster empathy. Mr. Gabriel King Akpalu, a representative from the GKI-LEADERSHIP Center, led a session focused on awareness and inclusion.
“Boys must be part of the conversation. When they understand what their sisters go through, they become allies, not bullies,” he noted.
Miss Mawukoenya Agbenyezi also led a practical demonstration on the proper use and disposal of sanitary pads, underlining the importance of personal hygiene.
The programme received strong community support, with the presence of local leaders, teachers, health professionals, and representatives from the Ghana Health Service and Ghana Education Service — reflecting a shared commitment to ending menstrual stigma and promoting girl-child education.
Following the event, many of the students expressed appreciation and newfound confidence.
“Before, I used to feel shy and afraid when I was on my period. But now I know it’s normal, and I’m not alone,” said a JHS student from Afife.
The Universal ChildCare Foundation is calling on government agencies and private stakeholders to support similar initiatives, especially as Ghana moves to incorporate menstrual health education into the national school curriculum.
As the country continues to advance the Sustainable Development Goals — particularly those on gender equality and quality education — the Afife outreach stands as a powerful example of how community-led interventions can create lasting impact.
When girls are empowered to manage their periods with dignity, they are not only uplifted — they are inspired to thrive.
