As part of efforts to make menstrual pads available and accessible to all adolescent girls, regardless of their families’ social, cultural or financial backgrounds, the UDS Central Women’s Commission has collaborated with Songtaba, a local Non-Governmental Organization, to donate over 150 packs of menstrual pads to the female students of the UDS Basic School at Nyankpala.

At a short ceremony to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Ms. Hariya Bala, programmes Officer at Songtaba, an NGO, educated the pupils on the steps to take to ensure good menstrual health and the need to observe good hygienic practices to prevent infections, reduce body odour and stay comfortable.

She advised young girls not to feel shy to wash their panties and hang them under the sun. She said the practice of hanging panties indoors has a tendency of leading to microbial infections and thus, cautioned students to desist from such practice.

She dispelled some misconceptions and myths surrounding menstruation and urged the girls to see it as a natural phenomenon.

Students were taken through a practical session where facilitators demonstrated the best way to use a pad, how to remove it and discard it after use. Students were cautioned against littering the pads and disposing of them in open spaces as it has a tendency of generating disease.

The girls were taken through the process of calculating their menstrual cycles and how to deal with complications and changes in the body that arise as a result of menstruation.  Some students were handpicked to demonstrate it to their peers.

Underscoring the importance of the partnership between the SRC and Songtaba, Hariya Bala programmes Officer at Songtaba remarked; “As a women and children's rights organization, we couldn’t say no to the SRC WOCOM when she reached out to us for partnership because our interest and goals are aligned with the project” she said.

For her part, the SRC Women’s Commissioner Ramatu Mohammed said the exercise forms part of an initiative of the UDS Central Women’s Commission to embark on an education drive on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). “Our plan is to cover schools surrounding the University community and educate them on reproductive and health rights topics” she said.

“Earlier this year, we were at Yipelgu Community School to educate pupils and plans are advanced to reach out to the Tolon Senior High School this year” She added.

Ms. Mohammed noted that the prevalence of menstruation stigma and feelings of shame are all related gendered realities that need to be curtailed through continued education thus, her decision to target school pupils in addition to university students.

Underscoring the importance of the event, Mr. Sumaila Mohammed the President of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Club (WASH) reiterated the need for continuous education to end menstrual stigma among girls, particularly, in rural communities. He called on the government to consider scraping some taxes levied on menstrual pads to make the products less expensive for girls.

Also in attendance was Mr. Omar Farouk from Songtaba, Saeeda Imoro-NUGS President for Nyankpala Campus, members of UDS WASH Club and UDS students who were there in their numbers to volunteer and serve as facilitators.

Story by:
Sumaila Mohammed (University Relations)