COVOG, ECOWAS tackle menstrual hygiene to keep girls in school
The Coalition of Volunteering Organizations, Ghana (COVOG), in collaboration with the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Center, has donated sanitary pads and hygiene supplies to the Kwashieman Anglican B Primary and 2 JHS in Accra, as well as the Tetteh Ocloo State School for the Deaf in Ashaiman-Adjei Kojo.
The initiative aims to address menstrual hygiene challenges that often force girls to miss school.
COVOG President, Mrs. Lilly Bright Tetteh, emphasized the urgent need to support young girls in managing their menstrual health. “Many girls in underserved communities struggle to access sanitary products, leading to absenteeism and discomfort in school. Through this initiative, we are ensuring that menstruation does not become a barrier to education,” she stated.
She highlighted that the intervention forms part of COVOG’s broader efforts to improve Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in schools, while also promoting volunteerism and youth empowerment.
Madam Anne Nyakoah Yeboah, the School Health Education Programme (SHEP) Coordinator at Kwashieman Anglican 2 JHS, stressed that menstrual health remains a critical issue in schools. “We have close to 300 girls in our school who menstruate, and many of them cannot afford sanitary pads. Some resort to using unhygienic materials, while others miss classes entirely,” she explained. She welcomed the support, describing it as a “major relief” for the students.
Project Youth Coordinator for COVOG in Greater Accra, Ms. Confidence Denkudi Adzo Fiatsi, added that menstrual hygiene education should be prioritized alongside the provision of pads. “It’s not just about donating sanitary pads; we also need to educate girls on proper menstrual hygiene to help prevent infections and boost their confidence,” she noted.
As part of the donation, the students received sanitary pads, waste bins for proper disposal, handwashing equipment, tissue papers, water drums, detergents Beyond menstrual hygiene, the initiative also aimed to educate students on waste management and recycling as potential employment opportunities. COVOG and ECOWAS are committed to sustaining these efforts to ensure that no girl is forced to miss school due to a lack of basic hygiene products.
