Research on the effect of menstruation on girls' education in secondary school(April 2026) at GBHS Dschang.
As president of my school’s Hygiene and Sanitation Club, I initiated this student led research project with my team of three, including the Vice president and Secretary, after observing recurring menstrual health challenges among girls in my school. Many students struggled to track their menstrual cycles, staining themselves in school. They also could not manage menstrual pain, or seek support, due to embarrassment and limited knowledge. We also noticed the stigma surrounding menstruation and how misconceptions among some students affected girls’ confidence and comfort in school. To better understand these challenges, we designed and distributed approximately 100 questionnaires to girls aged 13-18, examining how menstruation affects their education. Our findings revealed significant gaps in menstrual health education, which inspired us to organize a sensitization session, focused on menstrual hygiene and cycle awareness, pain management, proper sanitary pad disposal and reducing stigma around menstruation. This initiative was entirely student-led and self-funded by our three-member leadership team. Despite limited resources, we successfully carried out the research and awareness campaign, creating a space where students could ask questions, gain accurate information, and receive sanitary pads to support their menstrual health needs. This project strengthened my belief in using research and education to identify health challenges and promote meaningful change within my community.
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