By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
A Bauchi based coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working to promote improved Menstrual Hygiene practices, access and management of menstrual period have advocated to the Bauchi State Government to make adequate provision for free sanitary pads in public schools for indigent students to access during their periods.
The Coalition also tasked Government relevant MDAs to be steadfast in consistent awareness creation highlighting health hazards associated with crude methods of managing menstruations and the attandant consequences that could lead to infections and illnesses among girls.
These were part of the requests contained in an advocacy brief presented to the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development on Tuesday 28th May, 2024 by the Coalition as part of activities commemorating this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The Day’s activity, funded by Women for Women International (WFWI), witnessed large turnout of the CSOs led by Attah Sisters Helping Hand Foundation (ASHH Foundation) amidst fanfare and drum beats that attracted the attention of other Non State Actors.
Speaking on the sidelines with our correspondent, the team lead of the Coalition Ms. Comfort Ene Attah said that commemorating the World Menstrual Hygiene Day has been an annual event that seeks to bring attention to challenges associated with menstrual hygiene management especially in developing Nations whose poverty level is on the increase.
Ms. Attah, who also double as the Executive Director (ED) of ASHH Foundation decry the health consequences of poor management of menstrual period in girls that could expose to infections that may affect the reproductive health of victims.
“We are all aware of high cost of living in the Country. As it is families are grappling with what to eat and making the thought of sanitary pads for their young girls in most households is not seen as priority. What this means is that these girls used crude methods of managing their monthly periods that often times leads to dire consequences.
“What we are advocating today is for Government to take the lead in making sanitary pads readily available and free especially in schools for indigent students to access.
“At the level of CSOs operating in the State, we are doing all we can to make reusable sanitary pads available in some schools, but of course we don’t have the financial resources to make available in all the places such needs is required.
“The bulk of our advocacy brief to the Bauchi State Government through the relevant MDAs is urging them to take lead in these humanitarian effort of making sanitary pads accessible not only to students but also to the general public. We are atCSO level are also ready to complement their efforts through health talk on menstrual hygiene promotion, dispelling myths, misconceptions and stigma attached to mentrution especially in this part of the clime”, Attah said.
Receiving the CSOs on behalf of the Bauchi State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Child Development Hajiya Hajara Gidado, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Sale Abdulmuminu commended the Coalition for their doggedness in promoting menstrual hygiene even beyond the annual international day.
The Commissioner then reiterated the resolve of the Ministry to strengthen its partnership with the Coalition and other relevant children and women-related agencies for the good of the child.
She then promised to carefully go through the document presented to her to see how the Ministry can come in to support the move and make menstrual Hygiene priority.
In a goodwill message State Program Coordinator of Women for Women International (WFWI) Mrs. Naomi Goyuat commmended the efforts of the Coalition for their consistency in promoting menstrual hygiene among.
She said WFWI is particularly aligned with the Day’s activities’ objectives that is centered around sensitizing rural and urban communities in Bauchi state on the prevention of stigmatization of the girl child particularly during menstrual cycle or when abused.
Mrs. Goyuat also seized the opportunity to advocate to the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health to ensure there is a policy on pad and free distribution for schools as a way of reducing number of girls who miss school during their menstrual period.
Our correspondent reports that some of the CSOs and other Non State Actors that made the Coalition include, but not limited to: ASHH Foundation , Child Is Glod Foundation Which Also Include Alwadata Lifeline Initaitive, The Kairo: Initiative, Card Initiative, Swofon, Niworen, Wowican, Langa, Aidcode, Rotary Club Bauchi Central, National Youth Service Corp and Heart That Truly Cares.
Others are Nagari Wowen Farmers, CAN, Gni, Nactal, Aiyon, Wowen With Disablit Intergrerty Development Initiative and Doctor’s Wife Association.
The Coalition commenced its activities under the women and girls Justice Project Tagged: “Advocacy Project on Un-Tax m Menstrual Pad”