The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said it has trained 330 female students in 93 schools on menstrual hygiene management in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states respectively.
The global organisation revealed that it has distributed a total of 94,000 dignity kits to the vulnerable girls and women in the three most affected states by insurgency in northeast region.
UNICEF WASH Manager in Maiduguri office, Ms. Mamita Bora Thakkar disclosed this at a media parley to commemorate the 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day in Maiduguri on Thursday.
She urged governments to address the challenge by prioritising the provision of facilities in schools to help female students manage their menstruation in a dignified and healthy manner while in school.
“We distributed 78,000 dignity kits last year across BAY states. Today, our education sector just donated 16,000 dignity kits to the vulnerable girls and women in Borno State.
“So, good menstrual management therefore requires access to appropriate information, materials and facilities, without which females suffer from poor menstrual experience, diminished self-confidence and underachievement in education and well-being.”
She cautioned that the lack of basic menstrual health needs for the girl child is affecting her attendance in school and participation in community life.
“The onset of menstruation means a new phase and new vulnerabilities in the lives of adolescents. Yet, many adolescent girls face stigma, harassment and social exclusion during menstruation,” Mamita warned.
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