AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine has embarked on a two-day sensitisation and advocacy exercise to educate adolescent females at the six basic schools in its host communities on menstrual hygiene, as it joined the world to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The Mine also used the occasion to distribute close to 1,500 sanitary pads to the female students as part of its desire to empower them to manage menstruation safely and hygienically, with confidence and without shame.
Globally, May 28 is observed annually as Menstrual Hygiene Day to create awareness and highlight the importance of menstrual hygiene management. 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 purposely to educate the female students on menstrual hygiene.
Through interactive and informative presentations, the female students were enlightened on what menstrual hygiene is; 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 of how to wear a sanitary pad by a group of seasoned community health nurses who were assigned to each school.
Delivering a speech on behalf of the Ag. Managing Director during the exercise’s climax at the Adieyie Basic School, the Manager-Land Access and Social Investment at Iduapriem Mine, Enoch Osei, reiterated the company’s commitment to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of life-long learning opportunities, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4).
“Over the years, we have demonstrated continuous support for improved educational standards, through the provision of infrastructure and other teaching and learning materials to improve the quality of teaching and learning in our host communities through our Basic Education Improvement Project,” said Enoch Osei.
He is hopeful the menstrual hygiene advocacy initiative will yield positive results and empower the females to fully access educational and economic opportunities, and reduce the growing rate of unwanted teenage pregnancies within the Mine’s host communities.
On her part, the Municipal Director of Health for Tarkwa Nsuaem, 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 have an important influence on the child’s values and long-term choices.
The Queen Mother of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, Nana Abena Kunadjoa II, bemoaned the increasing rate of teenage pregnancy cases in the area; and hence 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, and encourage them to share intimate problems without fear.
Speaking on behalf of her colleagues, Grace Quaicoe expressed gratitude to the Mine for the sensitisation exercise and promised to put to use all they had been taught. The occasion was graced by other key stakeholders, including host community chiefs, the Municipal Girl Child Education Coordinator, and the Social Welfare Officer.
