YouthLead Changemaker Photo Contest
TITLE -Ending Period Poverty in Nigeria.
Menstruation is an integral and normal part of human life, indeed of human existence. Menstrual hygiene is fundamental to the dignity and well-being of women and girls and ia an important part of the basic hygiene, sanitation, and reproductive health services to which every woman and girl has a right.
But sadly enough, women and girls in Akwuke and in particular, girls in schools, suffer most from the stigma and lack of services and facilities to help them cope with the physical and psychological pains they undergo during their menstrual periods. In fact, our surveys have shown that a total of 70% of the girl students in the 5 secondary schools at Akwuke miss 1-3 days of school per month, which translates to a loss of 8 to 24 school days per year.
In addressing the foregoing issues, we trained 500 teachers and school girls on menstrual hygiene, best sanitary practices, and also on how to make re-usable pads in the community. This training helped in increasing their awareness and capacity in dealing with their menstruation. We also provided free sanitary pads to more than 250 female students at the community. This helped to stop the use of old-cloth, dirty napkins and other un-hygienic materials by these students.
Indeed this program was a huge success.
But sadly enough, women and girls in Akwuke and in particular, girls in schools, suffer most from the stigma and lack of services and facilities to help them cope with the physical and psychological pains they undergo during their menstrual periods. In fact, our surveys have shown that a total of 70% of the girl students in the 5 secondary schools at Akwuke miss 1-3 days of school per month, which translates to a loss of 8 to 24 school days per year.
In addressing the foregoing issues, we trained 500 teachers and school girls on menstrual hygiene, best sanitary practices, and also on how to make re-usable pads in the community. This training helped in increasing their awareness and capacity in dealing with their menstruation. We also provided free sanitary pads to more than 250 female students at the community. This helped to stop the use of old-cloth, dirty napkins and other un-hygienic materials by these students.
Indeed this program was a huge success.