- BREAKING THE SILENCE! Menstrual Hygiene Awareness for African Girls
Menstrual Health Hygiene Day, observed on May 28th, is a crucial awareness day that highlights the importance of menstrual health and hygiene, particularly for African girls. In Nigeria, over 37 million women and girls of reproductive age lack access to menstrual hygiene products due to financial constraints.
This issue is more pronounced in Northern Nigeria, where bandits and insurgency have disrupted access to education, healthcare, and basic human rights.
Menstrual health is a fundamental human right, essential for girls’ education, health, and well-being. Poor menstrual hygiene can lead to:
• Infections and Health Complications:
Insufficient access to menstrual products and hygiene facilities can cause infections and long-term health problems.
• Absenteeism and Dropout: Girls may miss school or drop out due to lack of access to menstrual products and sanitation facilities.
• Social Isolation and Stigma: Menstruation is often stigmatized, leading to social isolation and shame.
In Nigeria, period poverty is a significant issue, with many girls and women unable to afford menstrual products. The situation is worse in Northern Nigeria, where conflict and displacement have exacerbated the challenge.
FADAK MEDIA HUB and other organizations are working to address this issue through education initiatives, safe sanitation facilities, and dignity kits containing essentials like soap, supplies, and underwear.
On Menstrual Hygiene Day, let’s join the global movement to prioritize menstrual health and hygiene. We can:
• Raise Awareness: Educate girls and women about menstrual health and hygiene.
• Provide Access: Ensure access to safe and hygienic menstrual products, sanitation facilities, and information.
• Break the Stigma: Challenge harmful traditions and stigma surrounding menstruation.
By working together, we can create a world where every girl can manage her period with dignity and confidence. Let’s make menstrual hygiene a priority and support girls in Nigeria, particularly in Northern Nigeria, to reach their full potential.
Ready to join! I’m married and blessed with kids and the first was a girl, she’s now approaching her adolescent age. I always feel shame and lack esteem whenever I feel like explaining things to her. I feel like I should take her to boarding school where she can learn sex education on her own. But that wasn’t possible because she’s an epileptic patient. Please include this in your awareness on how parent like me, can draw there children closer to them and give them the right advices about the adolescent stage. Thanks
thank you fatima mukhtar for your comment. i’ll advice you draw your daughter close to you, cause parents are their children first teachers and advocate be your daughters best friend, sister and a mother. however, i’ll look into your suggestion and see if we can create a chapter for this. thank you for following us.
sending love.
Fatima Kurfi