By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The United Nations Children’s Education Fund ( UNICEF) has trained about 330 school girls in 93 schools across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states of north east region between 2023 and 2024 on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) to enhance cleanliness and environmental sanitation.
UNICEF also distributed menstrual kits to over 70,000 school girls and women in many schools and communities across the states of the north east.
The UNICEF WASH Manager, Borno State, Mamita Bora Thakkar stated this on Thursday while addressing journalists at the UNICEF Conference Room Maiduguri to commemorate 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day.
NATIONAL ACCORD reports that World Menstrual Hygiene Day or MH Day is observed on 28 May every year. This day is dedicated to encourage women to maintain hygiene during their menstrual cycle to stay healthy.
The theme of World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024 is #PeriodFriendlyWorld.
She added that UNICEF has so far trained over 321 school pupils and students on various cosmetics, soap, deodorant and perfume making businesses in order to encourage and make them vocationally skilful and enterprising, while 58 class teachers were also trained to provide support to the adolescents
The WASH Manager further said that the media parley was aimed at focusing on a collaboration with UNICEF, Borno State Government, Donors and other local partners or Community Base Organizations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to bring an end of poverty and preserve the dignity of vulnerable girls and women in the society
Bora Thakkar observed that unfortunately , the taboo surrounding menstruation period in most societies prevents girls and women from articulating their needs and the problems raising because menstrual health and hygiene management have been ignored or misunderstood.
“There is of lack of information on the process of menstruation, the physical and psychological changes associated with puberty and proper requirements for managing menstruation There is a need to change family and community norms and beliefs in this regard.
“Such perceptions coupled with poor and inadequate sanitary facilities have often kept girls from attending schools especially during periods of menstruation. The consequence of this is that many girls grow up with low self-esteem and disempowered by poor educational attainments.
“Many girls are unaware or unprepared for menstruation before having their first period. UNICEF recognizes adolescence as a time of tremendous opportunity, and at the same time also a time of heightened vulnerabilities.
“It is imperative to empower adolescent girls with adequate information and skills on crucial issues like menstrual hygiene and its management. Studies show that stigma related to menstruation remains widespread, with adolescents often feeling ashamed or unable to openly discuss the topic.
“To help girls and women manage their menstruation needs, UNICEF supports building knowledge and skills amongst girls and women. In collaboration with Government in northeast Nigeria, local partners and donors such as the German Development Bank (BMZ) and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
” UNICEF provides training support to schoolgirls to produce reusable sanitary pads. We are also ensuring adequate water supply in schools and communities and promoting the construction of gender segregated toilets in schools and communities.
“So that girls and women are provided with safe spaces to manage menstruation with dignity and safety. One thing is clear, investment in the wellbeing of girls pays the most dividends. UNICEF will continue to work on issues of MHM and protect the dignity of women and girls,” Thakkar said.
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