DWAN-SL Educates Deaf Girls On Menstrual Hygiene

By: Amadu Wurie Timbo

The Deaf Women Advocacy Network-Sierra Leone (DWAN-SL) has conducted menstrual hygiene training for adolescent girls at St. Joseph School for the Hearing Impaired in Makeni.
The training was conducted on Tuesday, October 1st, 2024, aiming to enhance the health education of deaf girls who are currently experiencing or will soon experience menstruation. Beneficiaries were girls between the ages of 10 and 15, helping them to better understand and manage their menstrual cycles.
Noting that all the participants are deaf, the session was uniquely tailored, with Musu Kenyeh Golley, the Executive Director of DWAN-SL, who delivered the presentation using sign language.
During the training, Golley, who is deaf herself, utilized her personal experience and expertise to engage the participants on several key topics, including an introduction to menstruation. She explained that the menstrual period signifies the onset of puberty and involves the monthly shedding of the uterine lining.
Golley further emphasized that menstruation is a normal part of the reproductive system, which prepares the body for potential pregnancy each month and therefore urged girls to avoid sexual intercourse once they begin experiencing their menstrual cycles, highlighting the importance of personal health and safety during this stage of development.
The session switched into an interactive segment, where Golley provided practical guidance on menstrual hygiene management. She advised the girls to maintain two types of underwear: dark-colored underwear for use during their menstrual period and bright-colored underwear for the days after. Golley also led a hands-on demonstration on the proper use of both disposable and non-disposable menstrual pads. She encouraged the girls to use at least three pads per day during their periods to ensure cleanliness and comfort.
In a post-training interview, Madam Golley shared her motivation for organizing the session, explaining that it was her way of giving back to St. Joseph School for the Hearing Impaired, where she was once a student. “As a deaf person, I understand the communication challenges that deaf people face, particularly when it comes to issues like menstruation,” she said. “I chose this topic because I know it’s difficult for these girls to express their needs and concerns, especially in a society where they may not have access to adequate support.”
Golley reiterated her commitment to expanding the program to other districts across Sierra Leone, with a focus on improving health education for deaf girls. She called on government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide the necessary support to sustain and expand such initiatives. “Deaf people understand each other best, and by using sign language, we can bridge the communication gap and ensure that deaf girls receive the education they deserve,” she added.
The event attracted stakeholders including Alhaji Mohamed Rahman President of the Sierra Leone National Association of the Deaf, who hailed the initiative as a ground breaking step toward empowering the deaf community. “This is the first time I’ve witnessed such a wonderful event that focuses on teaching deaf girls how to care for themselves during menstruation,” he said. He affirmed his commitment to ensuring the sustainability of DWAN-SL’s projects, urging the government, institutions, and individuals to support their efforts.
Among the many beneficiaries of the session was Sento Kargbo, a JSS3 student at the St. Joseph School for Hearing impaired. Kargbo shared her experience, noting that while she had received some education on menstrual hygiene at home, the training by DWAN-SL provided a much more comprehensive understanding. “I’ve learned so much more from Madam Musu and her team. Now, I know how to properly take care of myself during my period,” she said. Kargbo, along with her fellow participants, also expressed gratitude for the menstrual hygiene items distributed during the event.