By Justina Auta
An NGO, Tabitha Cumi Foundation (TCF), supported over I00 hearing impaired girls with one year supply of sanitary pads.
The Programmes Manager of the foundation, Mrs Nendi Ohah, disclosed this on Thursday during the close out of the Always Keeping Girls in School (AKGIS) project, funded by Procter and Gamble at Abuja School of the Deaf, Kuje.
Ohah, who said that the group had also educated the girls on reproductive health and proper menstrual hygiene to improve school attendance, added that
the event was in commemoration of the 2023 Menstrual Hygiene Management Day.
She explained that the aims of the AKGIS project is to educate vulnerable girls and their parents on effective use of sanitary products, as well as encourage boys to support girls during their menstrual cycle.
She said “many girls absent themselves from classes whenever they are on their period.
“However, we have explained to the girls and made them to understand that menstruation is a normal thing, and it shouldn’t stop any woman or girl from her chores.
“We have also been able to create awareness not just among girls but to the boys in the school to enable them to support the girls during menstruation.’’
Mrs Hajarat Ahmed, the Deputy Director, Gender, Universal Basic Education Board, FCT, said the board had trained desk officers to educate schoolgirls on how to produce reusable sanitary pad to improve school attendance.
“We have done workshops to teach our desk officers how to make reusable pad as the price of sanitary pad continue to increase.’’
She urged other Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) to support the girls too, as the foundation cannot do it alone.
She said “this is because we discovered that the girls hardly come to school when they are on their menstrual period because they don’t have money to buy pad.
“But with this, it will go a long way in keeping girls in school, as they manage their cycle in a hygienic way.’’
Mrs Obiageli Kechere, the Assistant Chief Programme Officer, National Orientation Agency (NOA), said the agency had sensitised both boys and girls to change the misconception about menstruation.
She added that “on menstrual hygiene, we go to schools and talk to students and especially the boys, sensitise them on why they should take the girls as their sisters.
“We also tell the girls to feel comfortable and not miss school when they are on their menstrual period or make it seem like a taboo.’’
Kechere stressed the need to educate young girls on menstrual hygiene management and improve access to sanitary pad.
Dr Bamidele Olaitan, the Head of Principal Administration, Abuja School for the Deaf, said the AKGIS project had improved students’ knowledge on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health, self-esteem and reduced absenteeism in school.
He said “with the knowledge they have acquired so far in the past one year, the girls can live on their own, they can stay on their own.
“They can calculate the time of their menstruation on their own.
“And on our part, we advise parents during school PTA meetings to be close to their children whenever they are on break or at home.’’
Joy Moses, a JSS 2 student, thanked the foundation for the support.
