At 3Ktv studios, an important and often under-discussed conversation took center stage as Petra Dope, Director of Girls’ Empowerment, addressed the critical issue of menstrual hygiene and the role families—especially fathers—must play in supporting young girls.
Seated in a calm studio setting during the “Pathfinder” program, Petra spoke with clarity and conviction about menstrual hygiene as a matter of dignity, health, and child protection. She emphasized that menstruation is a natural biological process, yet it remains surrounded by stigma, silence, and misinformation in many communities.
Menstrual Hygiene as a Public Health and Rights Issue
Petra highlighted that menstrual hygiene management (MHM) goes beyond access to sanitary products. It encompasses:
Accurate, age-appropriate information for girls before menarche
Access to safe and affordable sanitary materials
Clean water and sanitation facilities
Emotional and psychosocial support at home and school
She noted that when girls lack proper support, the consequences can include school absenteeism, low self-esteem, infections due to unsafe practices, and vulnerability to exploitation. In some cases, girls may resort to risky behaviors to afford sanitary products, exposing them to abuse and early pregnancy.
“Menstrual hygiene is not a luxury,” she stressed. “It is a basic right tied to a girl’s health, education, and overall wellbeing.”
Breaking the Silence: The Role of Fathers
A central theme of the interview was the active involvement of fathers in menstrual health conversations. Petra challenged the long-standing cultural notion that menstruation is solely a “women’s issue.”
She encouraged fathers to:
Create safe, open communication spaces at home
Educate themselves about menstruation
Provide financial and emotional support
Eliminate shame and negative language around periods
According to Petra, when fathers normalize discussions about menstruation, girls grow up feeling valued and confident rather than embarrassed. Their involvement also models respect and gender equity for both sons and daughters.
“Fathers are protectors and providers,” she explained. “Part of that protection includes ensuring their daughters have what they need to manage their periods safely and confidently.”
Community Responsibility and Collective Action
During the discussion, Petra also called on schools, churches, community leaders, and policymakers to strengthen menstrual health education programs. She underscored the importance of partnerships between civil society organizations and the media in amplifying awareness.
Through the work of Knowledge Brook Children’s Network Trust, initiatives such as menstrual health workshops, pad distribution drives, and parental engagement sessions are helping bridge the information gap and reduce stigma at the grassroots level.
A Call to Action
The interview served as a powerful reminder that menstrual hygiene is not merely a private matter—it is a development issue, a gender equality issue, and a child protection issue. By bringing fathers into the conversation, families can dismantle harmful taboos and foster supportive home environments.
Petra Dope’s message at 3Ktv was clear: empowering girls begins with informed, supportive adults. When both mothers and fathers take responsibility, young girls are better equipped to manage their menstrual health with dignity, confidence, and pride.