Poor sanitation and menstrual stigma threaten girls’ dignity in rural Ghana – REEP Ghana

Hairiya Bala, Executive Director of REEP Ghana, expressed deep concern over the poor sanitation facilities and deep-seated menstrual stigma that continue to undermine the dignity of girls and women, especially those living in rural areas of Ghana. She emphasized the urgent need for significant investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, along with ongoing public education efforts.

This warning came during a menstrual dignity awareness campaign in Tamale, organized by REEP Ghana Ambassadors on the Menstrual Cup Project. Bala firmly stated that menstruation should never be associated with humiliation or exclusion, highlighting that despite this being a natural process, stigma and shame persist, particularly in rural communities.

The campaign aimed to empower young people, especially girls, to discuss their menstrual health openly and enlist the support of boys and young men in challenging the stigma surrounding menstruation. Bala stressed the importance of community engagement and frank discussions to dispel harmful myths about menstruation and create a supportive environment where individuals can seek assistance without fear of ridicule.

She directly called upon the government, development partners, and traditional authorities to prioritize investments in modern toilet facilities, handwashing materials, and other crucial WASH infrastructure to improve menstrual hygiene management in underserved regions. Bala reiterated that every young woman deserves to experience menstruation with dignity.

The campaign is an integral part of the REEP Ghana Ambassadors on the Menstrual Cup Project, or RAMCA project, which collaborates with 100% for the Children and is funded by CISRA. The initiative aims to increase awareness about menstrual dignity, change public perceptions of menstruation, and mobilize collective efforts to build safer and more supportive environments for girls and women.