Make sanitary pads part of learning materials, REACH beneficiaries urge Gombe Govt
Some of the beneficiaries of the Reaching and Empowering Adolescents to make Choices for their Health in Nigeria (REACH) project from Dukku community have called on the Gombe state Government to make sanitary pads as part of free learning materials to be donated to schools across the state.
They made the call in separate interviews with our correspondent in Dukku Community of Dukku LGA on Friday as part of the activities to mark the 2021 World Menstrual Hygiene Day organised by Save the Children International (SCI) Nigeria.
During the event, SCI donated dignity kits as well as educated no fewer than 100 girls.
The REACH Project which is being implemented in several communities in two LGAs of Dukku and Balanga in Gombe state is being funded by the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada.
16-year-old Sumaiya Damina appealed to Gombe state government to make donation of free dignity kits as part of school learning materials to encourage girl-child education in Gombe State.
Damina said some of her colleagues do not come to school during menstruation which often affected learning and ability of the girl-child to catch up on what had been taught in their absence.
She said, “If sanitary pads can be made available to female students as part of free materials that government often give to schools, it would go a long way because pads help give the girl-child confidence during menstruation but the money to get even one pad by students is a big challenge.’’
On the awareness for the day, she said she had been empowered to teach others about menstrual hygiene and
to prioritise cleanliness during menstruation.
Another beneficiary, Sheba Peter, a 15-year-old student, said she was grateful to SCI for the education on menstrual hygiene, adding that it was a health improvement lesson for her.
“I am now encouraged to know that nothing is wrong when a girl is undergoing menstruation. It is part of growing up. Many girls feel ashamed though.
“This kind of awareness should be part of our routine education as it will really help a lot of us in this community,” Peter said.
Peter stated that in view of the importance of sanitary pads to girls and the level of poverty in their community, many students may not have the capacity to get pads, hence, the need for government to step in to encourage females in schools across the state.
Others, who spoke to our correspondent, share similar views while urging parents to always make efforts to provide for the menstrual demands of their female children, adding that it was vital to their health as girls.
The facilitators, Ms Runny Yusuf, said the day presented an opportunity for girls to be given education on menstrual hygiene and how to take good care of their body.
Yusuf added that the lack of education and knowledge on menstrual hygiene had caused a lot of health issues among girls.
She said, “poor menstrual hygiene could result to cancer, urinary tract infection and vaginal discharge,” she told the girls while stressing that any myth about menstruation should be jettisoned.
According to her, menstruation is a biological process and should not be related to any kind of belief as it is the case in some communities.
Yusuf, who encouraged the girls to change pad as often as possible during their period to prevent infection also appealed to them to ensure proper disposal of used pads in pit latrines, while encouraging them to take their baths regularly.
Our correspondent reports that a bag of dignity kits containing one big pack of sanitary pad and a set of underwear were given to 100 girls.
Highlight of the event included a demonstration on how to use sanitary pad, as well as how to dispose them.
Girls were also allowed to ask questions as facilitators responded to aid their understanding of menstrual hygiene.
