BY: Vivian Dzoboku | Voltaonlinegh.Com |
The Girls Excellence Movement (GEM) an Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) based in Accra has over the weekend donated assorted items including sanitary towels to female students of the Comboni Vocational Technical Institute at Sogakofe.
Other items included mathematical sets, soft drinks, and packs of bottled water.
As part of the donation exercise, the team held a Mentorship session for the girls to inspire them for greatness.
Ms. Juliana Ama Kplorfia, founder and Executive Director of GEM said their overall goal is to see 50 percent of women forming decision-making boardrooms because they believe when the potential of women is harnessed, the country would get to make holistic policies that benefit all.
“When the boardroom was dominated by men, they categorized sanitary pads as a luxury good, hence the 20 percent taxation, while condoms are not classified as luxury goods. Don’t forget sex is a choice; menses, on the other hand, is a necessity, “she said.
 Mr. Aaron Lawson, Programs Manager of GEM sensitised the young ladies on effective ways to learn and set SMART goals that will aid in their studies. He indicated that without a positive mindset, one can not achieve anything in life.
Ms. Belinda Dogbatse, Senior Mentor of GEM also took the ladies through menstrual hygiene. She advised the ladies to be bold since it was natural and it was no fault of theirs that they were born girls.
She further advised that the difference in the number of days one has her flow has nothing to do with her. But in case of irregularities, one has to seek medical care.
“Exercise regularly and drink a lot of water during your menses and don’t forget to take your personal hygiene seriously,” she noted and went on to teach the ladies on how to fix and dispose off their used pads.
Ms. Lahadi Samira, an IT Engineer and a GEM Confidence Coach, encouraged the ladies to be bold and confident in themselves. “It’s a brutal industry out there, and it’s going to be brutal for you because you’re women,” she said, adding “Confidence is key, so know yourself, be bold, and be you.”
Ms. Janice Osei Agyeman, a journalist educated them on the need to be careful on the things they do and post on social media as it can make or unmake them in the future.
Mr. Cyril Kwame Aseye Addo, a Vice Principal of the school, expressed gratitude to the NGO for the lessons imparted to the young ladies, as it would boost their self-confidence.
‘Because it is a technical school, the gents are more than the ladies, making them reluctant to participate in some activities,’ he said, and further noted how happy he was to see the ladies play the drums and answer questions freely.
The students also thanked GEM for the items and lessons, and they hoped GEM would visit other schools and communities to impact lives.
Items donated were sponsored by Voltic Ghana, Special Ice Drinks, MKOGH and the Army officers who donated the sanitary pads.
Source: www.voltaonlinegh.com
