By Aderogba George
FAB Treasure Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has advocated access to menstrual health and hygiene education for women and girls in rural communities.
Miss Festus Abigail, the Executive Director of the foundation made the call on Monday, at Kuchingoro Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, Abuja during a sensitisation and empowerment programme.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme with the theme, “Embracing Sustainable Solutions for Menstrual Hygiene’’ is supported by ActionAid Nigeria.
Abigail said access to menstrual hygiene products is crucial to healthy living, well-being, and dignity of all women and girls in the society.
“The Kuchingoro IDP camp is a home to displaced persons as well as vulnerable populations (women and girls) facing significant challenges in several areas including poverty and poor access to menstrual hygiene.
“Our aim of visiting the camp is to educate the people on menstrual health and hygiene, emphasising the significance of adopting proper menstrual care practices.
“We are also carrying out this task to dispel myths and stigmas associated with menstruation,’’ she said
Abigael added: “I firmly believe that, empowering women to take charge of their menstrual health is not just essential, but transformative.
“When women have the tools and knowledge to manage their menstruation confidently and hygienically, they gain a sense of empowerment and dignity that transcend beyond their physical well-being.
“We envision a world where young women and girls are well-guided, inspired, educated, and empowered’’.
She said her foundation had introduced to the people, the concept of reusable sanitary pads as a sustainable and cost-effective solution to combat period poverty.
NAN reports that some of the women shared their menstrual experiences and the challenges they faced in accessing products in helping them to maintain hygiene during menstruation.
Mrs Hannatu Isah, one of the women in the camp, said that most of the women there barely think about buying sanitary pads for themselves or their daughters because of the current economic hardship.
The women showed eagerness to learn and gain valuable insights that would empower them to better manage their periods.
They expressed gratitude to the NGO for providing free reusable sanitary pads which, according to them, would serve for the next one year, if properly maintained.
NAN reports that Miss Emoregan-Lucy Ogheneruru, a Community Health Practitioner taught the women, step by step guidance on how to maintain hygiene and the risk associated with poor menstrual hygiene practices. (NAN)