Project Obaasima, an initiative by #TeamTaadi, a group of 8-member students from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has provided hands-on training on making reusable pads, detergents and education on good menstrual hygiene. about 300 students of Nana Baidoo Bonsoe and Methodist Primary School, both in Poasi, New Takoradi, in Sekondi-Takoradi.
The team then distributed about 250 sheets of reusable sanitary pads, five (5) boxes (80 sheets) of paper towels, 250 exercise books and pens, as well as educational materials and other souvenirs to the students.
#TeamTaadi also facilitated the registration of 100 students (58% female) to the National Health Insurance Scheme.
#TeamTaadi also created 10 Obaasima Club members in the school to be peer educators on menstrual hygiene and other health issues.
In educating the students, Henrietta Ataah Kaakyire, an officer from Marie Stopes International, Ghana, taught the girls how to understand their menstrual cycle and ensure good personal hygiene during menstruation. They also teach girls how to dispose of used sanitary pads.
During his education, he explained “Some girls have between 3 – 7 days to menstruate. Therefore, it is very important for every girl to understand the menstrual cycle and also ensure proper menstrual hygiene to prevent bad odor. Girls should visit the hospital for professional advice about unwanted symptoms rather than self-medication which can lead to adverse consequences for menstrual health.
Alberta Hagan, a nurse, also appealed to the students “eat a balanced diet and maintain good personal hygiene”.
The project also enrolled one hundred students under the NHIS scheme.
According to the NHIS District Office, 42 of the 100 students are new registrants, while 58 students are still renewing. About 58% of the total registrants are women.
The Obaasima Project is a health and/or menstrual hygiene effort to reduce menstrual poverty among girls in disadvantaged areas.
It is an important component in promoting gender equality, ensuring access to education and health, and achieving some of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) established by the United Nations.
Therefore, making Obaasima important to achieving some of the SDGs, and promoting menstrual health and hygiene is important to promote gender equality, improve health and well-being, and reduce inequality.
The Obaasima project, by #TeamTaadi, is a requirement for the MSc Development Management by the Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) where team members are expected to identify and implement Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy (SEAP) projects in the community.
Source: Naomi Obenewaah/Peace News
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