By Tilda Acorlor
Girls and women in Peki-Avetile have joined the rest of the world to observe World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 with a community programme aimed at promoting menstrual health and breaking the silence around menstruation.
The event, held under the theme _“Together for a Period-Friendly World”_, was organised by GroomDatGirl in collaboration with the Vida Cycling Program.
It brought together young girls involved in cycling, mothers, community members, and traditional authorities.
The Queen Mother of Peki-Avetile and Adontehemaa of the Peki Traditional Area, Mama Ayim Kyrebea I, who graced the occasion, commended the Groomdatgirl for bringing the initiative to the community.
She urged young girls to stay prepared ahead of their menstrual periods and to maintain proper hygiene to safeguard their health and confidence.
Sports Journalist and Team Lead of GroomDatGirl, Tilda Elinam Acorlor, said the introduction of the Vida Cycling Program in Peki-Avetile influenced the decision to host this year’s celebration in the community.
She encouraged the girls to take sports seriously, noting that sporting activities could create opportunities and positively shape their future.
“I want to encourage you young girls to take cycling and sports in general very seriously because participating in it has a lot of opportunities. If you do sports, you will travel the world,” she said.
Founder of the Vida Cycling Program, Madam Vida Juliet Vivie, described the event as a significant step in addressing issues often left unspoken in society.
She explained that the indoor cycling session served as an icebreaker for the Peki Traditional Area and the Volta Region, opening conversations on menstruation, confidence, and the empowerment of young girls.
Madam Vida added that Peki has a rich cycling history and that the programme seeks to revive that heritage through the Girls Indoor Cycling Challenge while encouraging more girls to take up the sport.
On the health side, Senior Nursing Officer at the Peki CHPS Compound, Patience Adugu, together with other nurses educated participants on menstrual hygiene, the proper use of sanitary pads, and safe disposal practices.
The session was interactive, with the girls asking questions on menstrual hygiene and personal care.
Sanitary pads were distributed to participants, and the programme ended with an indoor cycling session to mark the climax of the celebration.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed globally on 28th May each year to raise awareness on menstrual health and challenge stigma associated with menstruation.
