WaterAid, Bauchi govt establish sanitary pad banks in schools
By Ahmed Ahmed
WaterAid Nigeria with funding from DP World in partnership with Bauchi State Government and Women DWODASS) have established sanitary pad banks and formation of environmental health clubs for sustenance in four secondary schools in Misau local government area of the State.
This is part of activities to commemorates world menstrual Hygiene day among the relevant agencies, the State Primary Health Care Development Agency and State Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB) in Misau on Tuesday.
While commemorating the day, sensitization and awareness of menstrual hygiene was carried out in four schools in Misau local government.
The schools include Junior Secondary School Fawari Misau, Government Girls Junior Secondary School Sabongari, Government Girls Secondary School Hardawa and Government Day Secondary School Hardawa.
The aim of the intervention was to advocate to the state government to scale-up the provision of sanitary pads in all schools as well as promote hygiene practices among school girls in the State.
In her remark, the representative of SUBEB Hajiya Talatu Yakubu stated that education for school girls on menstrual hygiene and awareness was necessary in order to promote the dignity of girls in school as they study.
According to her, lack of hygiene when girls are on their periods can lead to infections that can negatively affect their reproductive organs,
“Thereby leading to infertility in the future, stigmatization and lack of confidence among their peers.
“When a girl reaches the age of 10 and above, they start experiencing what makes them women.
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“Educating girls on the importance of menstrual hygiene is very important because a woman’s dignity starts when menstruation begins,” she said.
She added that “These girls need to have. self awareness of what is going on in their bodies and how to take care of themselves.
Talatu charges the girls not to use sanitary pads more than three hours, pointing out that if pads are not changed after three hours, blood can stain their clothes or cause an infection for them.
On her part Field Officer and Manager Admin and Finance WODASS, Mrs Lasu Galadima and Hajiya Suwaiba Lawn also advocated for menstrual hygiene among school girls,
They stressed that educating school girls on hygiene, particularly when they are on their period, was important because the earlier they become aware of their bodies and how to care for themselves, the better they become in ensuring their hygiene and educating their peers.
A student of government girls secondary School Hardawa Sabrina Lawal expressed appreciation for the intervention of Sanitary pad banks and formation of Environmental Health clubs in schools.
She said that this is a great development that will go a long way in helping girls care for themselves during their periods and make them concentrate on their studies while at school.
