Fathers largely excluded from menstrual hygiene conversation …Research reveals

 When it comes to menstruation, most fathers remain silent, a recent study by SEND­Ghana, a non-governmental organisation has revealed.

It said only three out of every 15 fathers interviewed had ever talked to their daughters about menstrua­tion.

“This speaks volumes about the discomfort, mis­information, and cultural silence surrounding menstru­al health and the vulnera­bility or heavy burden this places on girls navigating puberty alone,” Latifa Abdul Hadi, a Research Assistant with SENDGhana, said during a training for journalists on menstruation in Accra.

Sharing findings of the research conducted in six districts across the country last year, Ms Hadi noted that despite growing awareness campaigns and menstrual hygiene drives, fathers are still largely excluded from the conversation.

“Culturally, menstruation is treated as a women’s issue but this thinking sidelines half of the household,” she said.

“In all of the districts we conducted the research only about 0.1 per cent, just three out of 15 fathers have actually opened their mouths to talk about menstruation and menstrual hygiene to their young girls.”

She encouraged parents, especially fathers to take the initiative to educate them­selves on menstruation and menstrual hygiene.

“Social media is a good place to start. But beyond that, there are verified web­sites with accurate infor­mation. Men must make the effort,” she insists.

Ms Hadi also urged young girls not to shy away from speaking to their fathers on menstruation.

“He’s your father. There’s nothing wrong with asking questions; telling him what you’ve heard, what you’re experiencing, and asking how you can care for yourself,” she advised.

 BY Abigail Annoh