A non-governmental organisation, Nurture and Empower Her Initiative (NEHI), has unveiled a menstrual hygiene handbook titled Bleed with Pride to educate adolescent girls in Bauchi State on menstrual health management and help them navigate puberty with confidence and dignity.
The handbook, written by the Executive Director of NEHI, Florence Uzoanya, was formally launched on Wednesday at Government Girls College (GGC), Bauchi, during a sensitisation programme attended by students from six secondary schools across the state.
About 60 students, comprising mostly adolescent girls and a few boys, participated in the programme. They were trained on menstrual hygiene management, what to expect during their first menstrual period, and how to produce reusable sanitary pads.
Speaking at the event, Uzoanya described Bleed with Pride as a simple, girl-friendly handbook designed to provide accurate information about menstruation and eliminate the fear, anxiety and misconceptions often associated with a girl’s first menstrual experience.
“Today is the unveiling of the Bleed with Pride handbook and also a day to sensitise girls on menstrual hygiene and health management. This book is a friendly handbook for every girl’s first period and beyond,” she said.
According to her, many girls are unprepared for their first menstrual period because they lack access to accurate information.
“A lot of girls do not know what to expect during their first period. We prepared this book so they will not panic or be afraid,” she added.
Uzoanya called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organisations and development partners to collaborate in ensuring that menstrual health and hygiene education is integrated into the school system and curriculum.
She explained that the inspiration for the handbook came from her personal experience and years of interacting with adolescent girls during community outreach programmes.
“My story inspired me because, while growing up, I had many fears and believed many things that were not true. The girls we work with also inspired me because many of the questions they ask show that they lack basic knowledge about menstruation,” she said.
She noted that the handbook was deliberately written in simple language to make it easy for young girls to understand and use as a guide throughout adolescence.
In her remarks, the Principal of Government Girls College, Bauchi, Hadiza Sagir Ibrahim, commended NEHI for choosing the school to host the event and for promoting menstrual hygiene education among adolescent girls.
She described menstrual hygiene education as vital to addressing the myths and stigma surrounding menstruation, stressing that no girl should miss school because of her menstrual period.
“Menstruation is not harmful or taboo; it is a source of pride for every female. We want our adolescent girls to bleed with pride,” she said.
Some of the girls who participated in the programme said the handbook had broadened their understanding of menstruation and increased their confidence, while the boys said they had learned the importance of supporting girls during their menstrual periods rather than ridiculing them.
