WIM Ghana Empowers Young Girls Through Menstrual Hygiene and Career Outreach at Ningo Prampram

Women in Mining Ghana (WIM Ghana), in partnership with Sista Wings International, marked Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 with an outreach programme at Nyigbenya D/A Basic A and B Schools in Ningo Prampram, distributing sanitary pads and delivering career guidance to young girls in the community.

The “One Girl Child, Two Sanitary Pads Initiative,” supported by AngloGold Ashanti, brought together students, teachers, facilitators and volunteers for interactive sessions on menstrual health, reproductive education and personal development. The programme is part of WIM Ghana’s broader commitment to promoting the wellbeing, dignity and education of women and girls in communities across the country.

Facilitators led discussions on menstrual hygiene management, self-care practices and the physical and emotional changes associated with puberty, creating what organisers described as a safe space for open participation and confidence-building. The sessions were designed not only to address health literacy but also to challenge the stigma that often surrounds menstruation in Ghanaian schools.

A career guidance component introduced participants to opportunities within the mining and extractive industry, including mining engineering, geology, environmental management, occupational health and safety, community relations and leadership roles. Speakers encouraged the students to remain committed to their education and to pursue careers in fields that have historically been dominated by men.

Sanitary pads were distributed to the girls as part of efforts to reduce barriers to school attendance. Research has consistently shown that a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products contributes to absenteeism among schoolgirls in Ghana, particularly in rural and peri-urban communities.

Representatives of WIM Ghana emphasised that access to education, mentorship and menstrual hygiene support is essential for promoting gender equality, leadership and community development. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to initiatives that create opportunities for women and girls within society and the extractive sector.

WIM Ghana expressed appreciation to AngloGold Ashanti for funding the initiative and to Sista Wings International for their partnership in its implementation. The organisation also thanked the management, staff and students of Nyigbenya D/A Basic A and B Schools for their cooperation.

The programme highlights the growing role of corporate and civil society partnerships in addressing menstrual hygiene challenges across Ghana. As previous community development efforts in the education sector have demonstrated, targeted interventions in schools can have a lasting impact on the lives of young people.

Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed annually on May 28, aims to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation and to advocate for the integration of menstrual hygiene management into global health and education policy.

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE