[Re: https://www.hifa.org/dgroups-rss/cervical-cancer-88-educating-girls-abou... ]
Dear Neil,
Thank you for your interest in my contributions and for giving me the opportunity to share more about reproductive health education for girls in Somalia.
As a midwife I would like to share some observations from my experience
1. Availability of reproductive health education for girls in Somalia
In my experience many Somali girls do not receive sufficient information about their reproductive health, their bodies, puberty and the physical changes they experience as they grow up.
There are several reasons for this.
First, girls often lack access to educational environments where they can learn about their bodies and understand the changes associated with puberty.
In the schools I have observed reproductive health education is not adequately provided.
Second, many girls do not receive sufficient information at home. Some mothers may themselves have limited knowledge about reproductive health and it is difficult to educate their daughters.
Another major barrier is cultural sensitivity and shame. Many girls feel embarrassed to ask questions about their bodies or discuss reproductive health.
Even when healthcare workers ask them questions about their health, they may find it difficult to respond openly or provide sufficient information.
Although technology and the internet have made health information more accessible, having access to information does not necessarily mean that girls feel comfortable discussing these subjects or seeking reliable guidance. Cultural expectations and the surrounding environment continue to influence their willingness to speak openly.
2. The role of mothers, female relatives and friends
Based on my observations, girls do not always feel comfortable discussing reproductive health with their families. Even when information is shared within the family these conversations may be limited because of embarrassment or lack of knowledge.
Some girls may first discuss their experiences with their female friends, particularly when they notice similar physical changes among their peers. Friends can provide emotional support, but the information they share may not always be accurate or complete.
Many girls also hide the physical and emotional changes they experience because they fear that these changes may be considered shameful.
3. The role of midwives and healthcare workers
As a midwife I believe that healthcare workers have an important responsibility to educate girls and young women about their reproductive health particularly adolescence and puberty.
In my work we make efforts to speak directly with adolescent girls and young women and provide information about their bodies physical development, menstrual health and personal hygiene.
During community outreach activities, whenever we have the opportunity to meet girls and women, we provide health education and encourage them to seek medical advice when they notice unusual changes.
We explain the importance of:
1. understanding the physical changes that occur during puberty
2. maintaining good menstrual and personal hygiene
3. recognising abnormal menstrual bleeding and menstrual irregularities
4. seeking medical attention when they experience unusual or persistent symptoms.
5. not hiding health concerns because of shame or fear
We also explain that prolonged or unusual vaginal bleeding should not be ignored and requires medical assessment. Similarly, severe menstrual pain should not automatically be considered normal. These symptoms can have different causes and should be evaluated by healthcare professionals.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my experiences and contribute to improving reproductive health education for girls in Somalia.
HIFA profile: Amal Abdikarim Yusuf is a Health worker based in Somalia. Professional interests: Maternal and newborn health, women's health, cervical and breast cancer awareness, cancer prevention and early detection, reproductive health, community health education, HPV vaccination, and improving access to healthcare services for underserved community. Email address: Amalyusuf2000 AT gmail.com