NAWOJ Collaborates PLAN Int’l, distributes Sanitary pads to Bauchi women
Samuel Luka, Bauchi
A number of women and adolescent girls have received free Sanitary pads from the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Bauchi state chapter as part of activities to mark this year’s Menstrual Hygiene day in the state.
Our Corresspondent reports that the sanitary pads were distributed free of charge to the beneficiaries by the NAWOJ in partnership with a Non Governmental Organization known as PLAN International.
The Day which was celebrated annually on 28th May is set aside to celebrate women and girls and to highlight its importance.
Speaking during the distribution exercise in Dan Iya Ward of Bauchi local government area of the state, Chairperson of NAWOJ, Rashida Yusuf emphasized the importance of sanitary hygiene in the life of women and girl child.
She encouraged husbands and fathers to be involved in the life of their women and give them the necessary support in tackling challenges faced by girls during their menstrual flow.
A Resource person with PLAN International, Zainab Sabitu while giving a talk on menstrual hygiene, listed factors that can affect aspects of a girl’s life during the period.
She said girls miss school during their periods due to lack of facilities or necessary supplies to keep them clean.
Also, her dignity is affected as she suffers from discomfort, as she endures shaming from friends and as a result, her participation in school is affected.
Rashida Yusuf therefore, called on parents to give them the necessary support.
One of the beneficiaries, 18 year old Aisha, appreciated NAWOJ for the gesture.
According to her, her period started when she was 15 years, expressing delight that she doesn’t experience heavy flow or dysmenorrhea.
In his remarks, the Dan Iya of Bauchi Emirate, Suleiman.A. Bashir, commended NAWOJ and PLAN for bringing the program to his community.
He called on parents to be particular in counseling their daughters on menstrual hygiene, adding that cleanliness is next to Godliness.
In her vote of thanks, Asama’u Mohammed appreciated the Women Journalists for the enlightenment and promised to step it down to those that were not in attendance.
She noted that the lessons learned will go a long way in addressing major difficulties faced by girls during their menstrual periods.