Title:
Gender and culture. a consideration of Factors Influencing Menstrual Hygiene Management Among School Girls in Ghana: A literature review
Authors:
Amoah, Mary Asingamah
Place:
Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Publisher:
KIT Institute
Year:
2025
PAGE:
47
Language:
En
Subject:
Gender, Citizenship and Governance
Keywords:
Gender, Culture, Menstrual Hygiene Management, School, Adolescent, Ghana
Abstract:
Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) remains a critical issue affecting adolescent girls in Ghana. Despite its significance for girls’ health, dignity, and school participation, many continue to face challenges related to limited access to menstrual products, poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities, and persistent socio-cultural taboos that stigmatize menstruation. Although government and non-governmental organization (NGO) interventions have been implemented, they often neglect the influence of cultural norms, gender dynamics, and social context. This study conducted a literature review to explore the factors influencing MHM among in-school adolescent girls in Ghana. It applied Caruso et al.’s (2021) conceptual framework for monitoring gender equality in WASH, which focuses on four domains: agency, access to resources, gender norms, and institutional structures. Findings show that girls’ agency is severely limited, particularly in school environments where they have little say in WASH-related decisions. Resource disparities between rural and urban areas persist, with many rural schools lacking private, functional latrines and clean water. Gender norms and cultural taboos contribute to menstrual stigma, silence, and absenteeism, while institutional structures often exclude girls from meaningful participation in decision-making. Current interventions, though well-intentioned, rarely address these interconnected barriers. The study concludes that improving MHM in Ghana requires more than material support; it calls for culturally sensitive, gender-responsive approaches that challenge harmful norms and empower girls as active participants. Recommendations include integrating menstrual education into school curricula, involving community and religious leaders in norm transformation, and ensuring inclusive WASH infrastructure planning that reflects girls’ specific needs
Organization:
KIT (Royal Tropical Institute)/Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT Institute
Country:
Ghana
Region:
West Africa
Training:
60th International Course in Health Development (CHD)
Category:
research
Right:
©2025 Amoah
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
0Ft2lZ30XK_2025121113145208.pdf