The Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with a Non Governmental organization, ‘Aids health foundation’ has taken the campaign on the importance of menstrual health management for women and girls with disabilities to fully live a healthy life.
The Country Director of the NGO Dr Echey Ijezie, who stated this at a sensitization campaign organised at the School of the Deaf Kuje Abuja, noted that many girls living with disabilities are faced with hygiene related issues.
Dr Ijezie, said the foundation was creating awareness on the need to end stigma around menstruation, while ensuring young women and girls have access to menstrual pads.
“There is the issue of access to menstrual pads, so we are trying to raise awareness about free access, menstrual hygiene while telling everyone that it is a normal process.
“A process that needs to be supported, a process that needs to ensure girls have access to menstrual hygiene education and free pads, the process of menstruation had caused many girls to stay out of school due to financial inability to purchase pads.” He said.
In a remark the Assistant Director, sport and health education Federal Ministry of Education, Akinba Aduke noted that lack of proper menstrual education can pose negative health effect on a girl living with disability.
An health officer, Federal ministry of Women affairs Mrs Gloria Ekanem called on school authorities and organizations to make water available at all times and noted that women should not be afraid to let men know that menstruation is a natural fact.
“Menstruation is a thing to be proud of, the message is for us to break the silence, end the stigma and all the myths people have about menstruation.
“Some people cannot go out when they are menstruating, they cannot buy sanitary pads and are not accessible to menstrual hygiene, and this situation is worrisome.
Earlier the NGO’S sexuality and Menstrual health facilitator, Linda Raji who gave a lecture with practical examples on how the girls can keep good health hygiene during and after the Menstrual cycle, urged the girls to always speak up when when faced with sexual related challenges.
A staff of School of the Deaf, Kuje, Mr Rabiu Ganiu, who called for more awareness, expressed happiness and thanked AHF for coming to the aid of the school with such programme.
The Event featured distribution of sanitary pads to the students and playlets.
Reporting by Sarah Gimba, editing by Daniel Adejo