Underground Mining Alliance (UMA), a company contracted by AngloGold Ashanti, has donated sanitary towels to girls at the Abdullam Orphanage and 8 other schools in Obuasi.

The donation is part of the company's efforts to promote safe menstruation among girls.

The sanitary pads and towels were donated in commemoration of 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day under the theme "Together for a Period-Friendly World."

The beneficiary schools included Arctic School, Asonkore M/A School, Pomposo M/A School, Ahmadiyya School, Top Angels, Freedom Academy, St. Margaret School, and the 31st December School at Bogobiri.

World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed globally on May 28 every year as an annual awareness day to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management at the global level.

Speaking to the media after the donations, Darren Howard, Project Manager of UMA, said the donation was to educate the girls on the need to observe safe menstruation.

He said the company was aware of the challenges girls face during their periods, hence the donation to support them.

"We are not oblivious to what some girls go through during menstruation. Some decide to stay out of school, while others battle with stigmatization, so we came around to motivate and support them on how to tackle issues of menstruation," he said.

Yvonne Asabere, Training Coordinator of UMA, said they seized the opportunity to inspire the schoolgirls and recognize the need to stay safe and observe clean menstruation.

"We came with female engineers as role models to motivate the girls to have confidence and trust in their abilities. This, we believe, was well carried out since we shared our experiences with them," Asabere said.

Lawrence Turkson, National Project Manager of UMA, averred that the company has been supporting female-related activities and women's empowerment programs over the years.

He said that, as a company, they remain resolute in their quest to promote the interests of women, hence the donations.

He stated that by observing Menstrual Hygiene Day, UMA aligns with the global ambition to attain a period-friendly world and advises young girls to remain confident even while facing stigmatization during menstruation.

Sarah Appiah, a midwife at the AGA Health Foundation who was the resource person, took participants through the four phases of the menstrual cycle. This, she said, includes menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase.

She also, in a practical demonstration, taught the schoolgirls how to wear sanitary pads.

The Assembly Member for the Pomposo Asonkore electoral area, Richard Kule Obeng, commended the company for its support.

The beneficiaries lauded the company for the donation and education.

They spoke extensively about how difficult it is for them to buy sanitary pads and called on the government and other institutions for support.