Adolescents in crisis-affected communities of the North-West Region continue to face enormous challenges in navigating puberty, menstruation, consent, and relationships. Misinformation spread through peers and social media, coupled with persistent stigma around sexual and reproductive health (SRH), has left many young people vulnerable to teenage pregnancies, unsafe practices, and even school dropout.
AP-WORP delegation in SAMAGS
It is against this backdrop that the Association for the Promotion of Women’s Rights and Peacebuilding (AP-WORP) took its ‘Restoring dignity: advancing sexual and reproductive health rights and justice for gender-based violence (GBV) Survivors in crisis-affected communities of the North-West Region’ project to St. Maria Goretti Comprehensive High School (SAMAGS) Njinikom.
With support from the Global Fund for Women, the organisation held a two-day sensitisation programme on 3 and 4 September 2025, reaching more than 500 students and teachers with practical education on sexuality, consent, and dignity.
Speaking to the students, AP-WORP Executive Director, Munteh Florence Chea, reminded them that adolescence can be a confusing period, especially with the rise of social media misinformation.
She explained that the initiative sought to break the silence around menstruation and puberty, often treated as taboo subjects in schools and families. By creating safe spaces for open dialogue, AP-WORP encouraged students to seek accurate information, respect personal boundaries, and reject practices that compromise their dignity.
According to Rev. Sister Precilia Yein, Principal of SAMAGS, the training could not have come at a better time.
“This training will help keep our girls in school during menstruation, fight menstrual stigma, reduce teenage pregnancy, and bridge the gap in menstrual support and access to sanitary products,” she said.
Her remarks echoed the importance of tackling absenteeism and dropouts linked to inadequate menstrual hygiene management which she said is a problem that has long plagued schools in rural parts of the region.
Through workshops, skits, breakout sessions, and teacher training, students and staff explored a wide range of issues including but not limited to:
- Access to information on SRHR and justice
- Understanding puberty and menstruation
- Sexual consent and boundaries
- Knowing where and how to seek help
- Recognising barriers to dignity in schools
- Creating safe spaces and referral systems
Every student, regardless of age, class, or gender, left the sessions with one unifying message: “Know Your Body. Know Your Rights. Protect Your Dignity.”
To reinforce its commitment, AP-WORP donated sanitary pads, exercise books, pens, pencils, rulers, trash cans, and cleaning supplies to the school and its students. This gesture aimed not only to ease the immediate challenges faced by learners, particularly girls, but also to underline the organisation’s holistic approach which is combining education, dignity, and practical support.
The SAMAGS outreach is a major step in AP-WORP’s wider goal of restoring dignity and advancing SRHR in the North-West Region. By equipping students and teachers with knowledge, skills, and resources, the organisation hopes to create ripple effects that go beyond the school environment but also empowering families and communities to challenge stigma, promote safe practices, and safeguard the future of young people.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Newsroom with reports
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