ASHENEWS reports that governments at all levels, parents and institutions have been urged to increase the sensitization around menstruation and menstrual hygiene among girls and women.
This call was made during the launch of the Menstrual Hygiene Book written by a Lecturer in the Department of Urban and Regional Planning of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Dr Valda Martins in Minna over the weekend.
In her address, the author, Dr Valda Martins, said that the silence around menstruation and menstrual hygiene still exists among girls, adding that girls still miss school, battle stigma and lack basic knowledge about their bodies.
She said that this was discovered after interacting with over 6,000 girls through outreaches and interactions in schools.
Martins who is also the Founder of Succeeding Against All Odds said, “Growing up as a young girl with three elder sisters, I was never taught anything about menstruation. So, the day my first period arrived, I trembled in fear, convinced it was an issue of blood (Bible story). That trauma, a story detailed in this book, became my inspiration, so I vowed that no girl I come across would feel such shame or confusion.
“This revelation birthed a mission for five years two alone and three with my incredible team. At SAAO Initiative, we have reached over 6,000 students across Minna and the FCT, Bwari Area Council, and for seven months now, we have expanded to mental health because a girl’s well-being is holistic. Poor menstrual hygiene affects a girl’s mental health and overall well-being.
“Today, we unveil this book to dismantle myths, empower girls, and address school absenteeism, fear and ignorance. This mission aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – SDG 3 Health, SDG 4 Education, SDG 5 Gender Equality and SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 10”, she said.
Martins appealed to yhe government and various individuals to ensure access to menstrual hygiene products and education, address menstrual hygiene challenges in schools to improve school enrollment, reduce absenteeism, and eliminate stigma and shame.
She further states that promoting menstrual hygiene as a right fosters gender equity by ensuring that no girl is left behind due to lack of access to proper hygiene resources while harping that ensuring clean water and sanitation facilities in schools and workplaces supports effective menstrual hygiene management.
“As the UN notes: “Menstrual health is not a luxury. It is a human right”. Hence, every child has the right to menstrual hygiene education and a right to a copy of this menstrual hygiene book”, she noted.
The Author, while speaking about her NGO, Succeeding Against All Odds, said that over 6,000 students across Minna and Bwari Area Council FCT had been reached, adding that the NGO in the past seven months has expanded to sensitization on mental health in schools as poor menstrual hygiene affects a girl’s mental health and overall well-being.
She expressed optimism that the book would be a tool to uplift girls in every local government area in Niger State and Nigeria and help in replacing shame with knowledge, fear with confidence and silence with empowerment.
Various Speakers also harped on the need for the government and parents to increase sensitization around menstruation so that no girl would miss school because they are having their menstruation.
The Chief Launcher, former Governor of Niger state, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu who was represented by Hamisu Jankaro said that the book would help girls on how to maintain their hygiene while on their period saying that the school is a must have for every teacher and girl in the state.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Barrister Merio Mann, applauded the author for the initiative of bringing out a book on menstrual hygiene, saying it is time to walk the talk.
“This is a good venture. A lot of individuals and groups talk a lot about menstrual hygiene and even go to the extent of sharing sanitary pads with schools; while that is good, this is better.
“The written form is most applauded because it would be something that will go beyond schools, and the girls can always make references to it. It can also act as a guide to parents who are too shy to talk to their daughters or female wards about menstruation. I am also glad it addressed some myths around menstruation.”
