Inspire Today Foundation marks International Day of the Girl Child with over 4,000 girls in Bolgatanga East
Inspire Today Foundation, has marked this years International Day of the Girl Child with menstruating girls in the Bolgatanga East District of the Upper East Region.
The Girls numbering over 4,000 were provided sanitary pads, deodorants, bathing soap, underpants and educational materials.
According to founder of the NGO, Etornam Sey, there must be a greater collaboration between all stakeholders for the greater good of the adolescent girl.
‘‘Our visit to Bolgatanga East has been very revealing. The area is poverty endemic and the parents here can barely afford a decent meal. It is therefore not okay for government to slap as much as 45per cent tax on sanitary pads. The girls cannot afford it and they continue to use rags for their monthly flow. We are appealing to government to revisit the conversation on tax on sanitary pads in order for the girl child to have a dignified menstruation.’’
She adds that the visit to Bolgatanga was made possible due to the support from individuals and corporate institutions such as Mabia Microfinance, MTN Ghana foundation, Blue Sky Hotel, Adwinsa publications, Asempa publishers and print publishers.
General Manager for Mabia Microfinance, Duncan Alolga, expressed satisfaction at the turn of events with the donation exercise. He admits that the intervention is timely and is significant in the lives of the girls in the community.
General Manager for Blue Sky Hotel located in Zuarungu, Samuel Asiamah encouraged the girls to look beyond their challenges and focus on their bright future. He has however encouraged parents to be responsible for their adolescent girls and work towards providing their needs so they remain in school.
This years International Day of the Girl Child is collectively calling for greater investment and action on supporting leadership of adolescent girls at the forefront of change efforts.
Inspire Today Foundation seized the opportunity to mentor and groom the girls on personal hygiene and career guidance tips to mark this year’s event.
Inspire Today Foundation is a network organization nurturing a nationwide movement of female leaders through a concerted effort at achieving the sustainable development goals 3 and 5 which is improving good health and wellbeing and promoting gender equality.
