The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has disclosed that it has been teaching girls and women how to create their own pads and soaps for menstrual hygiene, with the aim of promoting safe and dignified menstrual health management in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
During a media parley commemorating the 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day in Maiduguri on Thursday, UNICEF WASH Manager Mamita Bora Thakkar said that under UNICEF’s WASH program, 93 schools have been trained, and 330 girls have received training on hygiene management in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
She explained that the initiative aims to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation, enabling girls and women to articulate their needs and problems. “Many girls lack a complete understanding of menstruation, putting them at risk of poor menstrual hygiene and related health complications,” she said.
ALSO READ: Kano Emirate Tussle: CJN summons FHC chief judge, Kano CJ
According to her, poor menstrual hygiene can lead to severe health consequences, including reproductive and urinary tract infections. She emphasized the need for collective action to address the multi-faceted issue of menstrual hygiene, which affects not only women and girls but also the environment.
“Girls and women with disabilities face additional challenges in maintaining good menstrual hygiene, and in times of emergency, access to menstrual materials is often limited,” she said. “By supporting safe menstrual health and hygiene management, we can empower girls and women to focus on their ambitions and responsibilities and promote their health, education, and dignity. Let’s break the silence and take action for menstrual hygiene!”
“UNICEF’s initiative is a call to action, urging governments, communities, and individuals to prioritize menstrual health and hygiene. By doing so, we can ensure that women and girls can reach their full potential, free from the burdens of stigma and shame. “It’s time to break the silence and take action – menstrual health matters,” said Thakkar.
