MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY: NGOs Unveil Plans to Establish Clubs in Anambra Schools

By Praise Chinecherem

A group of Non-governmental organisations have disclosed plans to establish hygiene and integrity clubs in secondary schools in Anambra state to address cases of mensural hygiene and moral values in schools.

The group stated this during the outreach in St Theresa High School and Progressive Secondary school, both in Umunya, Oyi local government area in commemoration of Menstruation Hygiene Day themed, “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”

The groups are Safenest Against Domestic violence and Drug Abuse, Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development, Care Trust Development Initiative and And COMAREG health care foundation

Speaking during the outreach Executive Director, Creative Minds Center for Youth and Community Development, Ugochi Freeman said the essence of the clubs is to ensure sustainability of hygiene culture and moral values being inculcated in the students.

She said, “We’re not only here for menstrual hygiene, we’re also looking at water, sanitation and hygiene, human rights, building confidence and self esteem, sexual and gender based violence, among others.

“There is need for ethical value reorientation among these students. We want to catch them young so we can redeem the next generation.

“We’re recording successes. For the school we’ve visited, questions from the students are enough evidence. We’re targeting 1000 students for this outreach. It’s a continuous process.”

Executive Director, Care Trust Development Initiatives, Ifenyinwa Unachukwu said the outreach was informed by worrying statistics of menstruation hygiene among students.

“UN received lots of reports on the state of menstruation among girls. Those from very poor family are stigmatized during menstruation.

“Again, many of them can’t afford buying pads during menstruation. That’s why Global Fund mandated that it should be discussed so as to find solutions.

“Some of them don’t even know when their period starts, some feel they’re doomed during their period. Some don’t even menstruate.

“Some are ignorant of the fact that cleanniness is critical during such periods. You can’t believe some use rags in place of pads.

“All these can result to stigmatisation and psychological trauma. That’s why such day is dedicated to teach these children that menstruation are normal body anatomy and something to be proud of.

“The world is used to once in a year celebration and I don’t think it’s right. There should be regular sensitization and that’s part of why we’re here.

“If it’s possible for each community to have pad banks, that would be awesome, particularly for children from poor homes who can’t afford pads,” she added.

The Principal of St Theresa, Oby Odili was full of thanks to the organisations for the choice of the school for the visit, praying God to reward then in return.