Organisation advocates menstrual health facilities in schools

An Organisation, Center for School Health Education and Environmental Hygiene (CSHEEH)has called for the provisions of proper menstrual facilities to ensure adequate sanitation system in schools.

The Founder of CSHEEH, Dr Folasade Momoh, made the call at an occasion to celebrate the 2022 World Menstrual Hygiene Day organised to sensitise students of the Government Girls Science Secondary School, Kuje in Abuja.

The event themed "Making Menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030 was organised in partnership with the 7th June Empowerment initiative for women ,youths and other Stakeholders.

Momoh said that menstrual Hygiene Day which is marked every May 28, set aside as a global advocacy platform' that brings together the voices and actions of non-profit organisations , government agencies , private sectors, the media and individuals.

"The day aims to break the stigma around menstruation, provide açcess to menstrual health Education, hygiene and raise awareness about the challenges associated with access to period- friendly sanitation.

"It also aims at engaging decision makers to increase the political priority and catalyze action for Menstrual health and hygiene at Global, National and local levels.

Mrs Salamatu Abdullahi-Sabo , founder of the 7th June Empowerment initiative,stressed the need for abstinence among underage girls and the importance of self preservation for every woman.

"The awareness program on menstrual hygiene and associating challenges has been put together to further educate the girl child to avoid risk factors that will lead to poor menstrual hygiene .

'There is a need to invest more significantly in menstrual health and safety hygiene and also provide an enabling Environment for young girls to avoid future challenges caused by poor menstrual hygiene," she added.

Also speaking during a health presentation, Dr Mary Clement, a Gynaecologist, said that poor menstrual hygiene and lack of access to hygiene facilities and products may lead to cervical cancer.

"It is called the cancer of the mouth of the womb, 80 per cent is caused by Human Papilloma virus (HPB) and that is why we are creating this awareness today.

"Today is designed to mark the world menstrual day ,the role of menstrual hygiene can never be over emphasized,we need to keep enlightening girls of this age.

"Ascending infection, bad odour, rashes, bad perineal hygiene which is one of the key roots of these diseases, can lead to Infection that is carried to their reproductive age.

Highpoints of the event was demonstrations of proper use and disposal of sanitary materials, presentation of sanitary materials to the students and an interactive session with the students