Kwatam Development Initiative, KDI in Partnership with the Kaduna State Government shares hygienic items to teenagers in the state.
The Partners are Ministry of Education and Ministry of Human Services and Social Development alongside Kaduna chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ.
During the event they have distributed over two hundred Pads to government Secondary School Ungwan Boro in Chikun Local Government Area as part of activities marking this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day in Kaduna.
Speaking at the event, the Founder of the Project Smile, Ms Comfort Ojo, said the group targeted over two hundred girl-child to be given Pads and also educate them on menstrual hygiene management.
She stressed the need to Pad the girl-child to help them stay comfortable in school during their menstrual circle. “We want the girl-child to be comfortable and stay happy during their periods while in school,” she said.
According to her, the girl-child will be trained on reusable sanitary pads, demonstrate some rich and folates food, and also Ten Champions in menstrual hygiene management will be inaugurated to serve as ambassador of the foundation as a way to empower the girl child in the state.
Ojo noted that the group has a sustainability plan using the Ten Champions, “They would be in charge of activities in the school for the space of one year, even as we intend to expand this activity to other schools in the state,” she said.
She explained that the foundation will equally support the Ten Champions with 30 packets of pads for keep in what she called “Pad Bank” which would be monitored by the Head Teacher. “This will ensure any girl-child who is having her period and needed a sanitary pad can easily get one from there.”
The Executive Director of KDI, Doris Shani, who spoke on the year’s theme: “Together for a Period-friendly world” said most women are uncomfortable to discuss issues regarding ‘menses’ as it has a social taboo and adolescent girls could not have access to gain adequate information.
The Executive Director who was represented by Programme Manager, Mr. Sontyo John explained that the little information the girl-child gets regularly from spiritual institutions, peers and family associates is frequently discriminating and bordered by misperceptions.
“As a consequence, teenage girls see menstruation as something discomforting that ought to be kept hidden.
She Stressed that this can amplify the susceptibility of adolescent girls to have mental, emotional and physical problems,” she said. “These conditions further impair the daily activities, academic performance, school attendance, and social relationships of adolescent girls.”
Doris Aji maintained that underlined the progress made in five key areas of Menstrual Health and Hygiene (MHH), to include: period-friendly social environment, period education, access to period products, period-friendly toilets, and menstrual health services.
Meanwhile the Acting Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ Kaduna State Chapter, Comrade Sahura Jibril Maidoki reaffirmed NAWOJ’s commitment to championing the cause of the girl child in Kaduna.
Comrade Maidoki who aligned her position with other kaduna stakeholders while speaking on world Menstrual Hygiene Day emphasized the importance of caring for the girl child to prevent negative tendencies.
She emphasized that the partnership with relevant bodies to provide hygiene and sanitary facilities is timely, as many girls lack access to these essentials.
She added that NAWOJ plans to continue school visits to sensitize students on better living and thanked the partners for collaborating with NAWOJ on this year’s event.
Cov/Naomi Anzaku Ekele.
