By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
As part of activities marking the 2024 world menstrual hygiene day, a USAID Funded Intervention PRO Health in collaboration with Rotary International Club of Bauchi Central, some State MDAs and CSOs have commemorated the day on Tuesday in Bauchi with a sensitization campaign to primary school pupils on Menstrual Hygiene promotion within and outside the school environment.
The pupils were also taught to see Menstrual Periods as natural phenomena that is associated with the girl child alone and is quite normal to menstruate as girls.
These were some of the knowledge shared by the Executive Director of a Bauchi based Civil Society Organization (CSO) ALWADATA Life Line Foundation Mrs. Winifred Robinson Yusuf.
Mrs. Yusuf also took her time to teach the pupils how they should take care of theirselves during their menstrual period.
She told the pupils not to panic with the sight of blood coming out from their bodies saying that it is one way that their bodies can be healthy.
Mrs. Yusuf also took her time to demonstrate to the pupils how sanitary pads are being fasten to prevent blood stains and how to dispose it properly after use.
The ED of Alwadata Lifeline also taught the pupils the difference between disposable and reusable sanitary pads and how to manage both pads after use in a hygienic manner.
Speaking on the sideline with our correspondent, The PRO-Health Team Lead in Bauchi state, Dr Asusuchi Osuji said that the objective of sensitization campaign was to expose the pupils on how to use and manage sanitary pads in a hygienic manner without nursing the fear of stigma.
The State Team Lead also disclosed that PRO-Health is working is collaborating with relevant government MDAs and CSOs to explore avenues on how to made sanitary pads available in schools for indigent pupils to access free.
Also speaking, the President of Rotary Club Bauchi Central, Rotarian Dauda Pam said that the sensitisation campaign activity was funded by PRO-Health with a view of educating the young girls on management of menstruations.
Rotarian Pam then reiterated the commitment of Rotary Bauchi Central of partnering relevant organisations in order to serve humanity.
There were goodwill messages from the Bauchi State Ministry of Women Affairs, PHCDA and SUBEB where they all commended Pro-Health and Rotary Bauchi Central in identifying with the menstrual needs of the young girls.