2023 Pad Her Up Campaign: Normalising Menstruation through Education and Empowerment

Pad Her Up Campaign, spearheaded by The Intelligent Lady Network (TILN) took place at the Obom Kojoman M/A Basic School.  As one of our mandates to empower women and young girls in the society, the initiative this year was aimed at making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030.

The event featured informative sessions that highlighted the importance of menstrual hygiene and the distribution of high-quality sanitary pads to ensure the girls have access to safe and comfortable options during their periods. Additionally, it sought to debunk myths surrounding menstruation.

Access to proper menstrual hygiene practices and sanitary pads is a basic need for girls and women all over the world. Unfortunately, many girls in remote communities like Obom in the Ga South District of Ghana do not have access to these basic menstrual hygiene needs.

Importance of Menstrual Hygiene

Menstrual hygiene is essential for every woman’s health and well-being. It refers to the practice of keeping the genital area clean and using safe and hygienic menstrual products during periods.

At the core of the “Pad Her Up Campaign” is the belief that basic needs of women and girls such as access to proper menstrual hygiene practices and sanitary pads should be enjoyed by all irrespective of where they find themselves. The lack of access to proper menstrual hygiene practices can lead to a host of health issues and social stigma. Social stigma was much prevalent among girls in Obom and thus formed an underlying factor in propagating the theme for the year, “making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030”. 

Good menstrual health and hygiene practices can prevent infections, reduce odours, and help girls stay comfortable during their period. It is essential to choose the right menstrual product to absorb or collect blood during the period, including sanitary pads, tampons, menstrual cups, menstrual discs, and period underwear. 

 Many girls in remote communities like Obom have inadequate information on the importance of menstrual hygiene or how to properly care for themselves during their menstrual cycles to prevent health issues, including bacterial vaginosis (BV) and urinary tract infection (UTI). Educating girls on proper menstrual hygiene practices can prevent these health issues and ensure that girls have the knowledge they need to take care of themselves.

Pad Her Up Campaign is a crucial step in ending period poverty and ensuring that every girl has access to the resources and knowledge to embrace her womanhood confidently. It is through collective efforts like these that we can truly make a difference and uplift the lives of our young girls. It was a huge success, and the school’s management expressed their appreciation for bringing our annual event to their doorstep. Let’s continue to spread awareness and support initiatives geared towards ending period poverty.

Menstrual hygiene is essential for every woman’s health and well-being. By debunking myths, following proper menstrual practices, and ensuring access to quality menstrual products, we can empower women and girls to take care of their bodies and live their lives with confidence and dignity.