United Way Innovation: Girls’ Closet Initiative- United Way Ghana
Innovation occurs on a global scale. When innovating globally, embracing and understanding different cultures is critical.
United Way ’s International Network is made up of approximately 600 United Way organizations in 40+ countries and territories. As a change maker, we take different approaches to address cultural and societal norms to develop intercultural empathy and create real solutions.
United Way Ghana highlights the value of cultural and social norms in innovation. Cultural and social norms are highly influential in shaping individual behavior. In Ghana, menstrual management remains a serious public health issue in low income and rural areas. Strong societal stigma pervades to silence women and adolescent girls on correct menstrual management and practices. BBC News reported an instance where Ghanian girls were banned from crossing a river, River Ofin, while menstruating. This meant girls living east of the river are unable to go to school.
Many schools in Ghana struggle to keep girls in school due to lack of clean sanitation facilities and basic feminine care products. The Human Rights Watch reports that one in ten girls Africa miss class due to their periods. Menstruation management is a universal right and its mismanagement has ripple effects on girls’ futures and aspirations.
When culture impedes progress, innovation emerges. The Girls’ Closet Initiative, part of United Way Ghana’s overarching Improving Basic Education program, takes concrete action to address insufficient menstrual management and education in Ghana. On International Day of the Girl Child (October 11, 2018), United Way Ghana launched Girls’ Closet to empower girls to advance their education rights and opportunities. In collaboration with Sankofa Care Initiative, United Way Ghana distributed Dignity Kits comprising sets of reusable sanitary pads, face towels, panty, shaving stick, toothbrush and toothpaste to 96 girls in Akropong, Ghana.The girls and their caregivers were also educated on reproductive healthcare to dismiss the cultural stigma and provide a safe space for girls to raise questions and concerns.
Thelma, one of the beneficiaries, expressed deep gratitude and honor for Girls’ Closet. “When my period starts, it discourages me from attending class because I can’t manage it well. I am always afraid it will stain my uniform and the boys in my class will mock me”. Thelma, passionate about her studies and soccer, often skipped school on her period because her mother could not afford to buy her sanitary pads. After receiving help from United Way Ghana, she went from being an absentee pupil to attending class daily, “ I am happy I do not have to worry about missing school anymore, now I can focus on achieving my dreams. Thanks to United Way Ghana I was able to complete Junior High School and gained admission into a reputable Senior High School in my community.”
To create opportunities for girls to be leaders and attain better lives, Girls’ Closet enlisted inspiring young women in the community to serve as mentors to 200 girls in the program. Fostering leadership, confidence and career paths, mentors share their experience and guide girls in their educational and career aspirations.
The journey towards normalizing menstruation remains slow, but with steady progress United Way Ghana is working to address the challenges menstruation poses for girls. Janet Butler, Vice President (Africa Region), remarked, “Girls Closet is an initiative geared towards helping girls reach their full potential through menstrual health education, mentoring and scholarships. Girls Closet will see to it that female adolescents are able to go to school without distractions, especially during their menstrual periods.”
To help in this effort, consider giving to help empower the next generation of women. Learn more here: http://www.unitedwaygh.org/give.php
