A student in Bauchi State, Ms. Umma Bala, Wednesday, appealed to the Bauchi State government and other stakeholders to provide free sanitary pads for adolescent girls.
She made the appeal on behalf of her peers at a one-day dialogue session on issues surrounding the girl child organized by Plan International Nigeria, an NGO.
She said the appeal became necessary to enable adolescent girls to realize their potential in the pursuit of quality education.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the activity was to commemorate the 2022 International Day of the Girl Child.
The theme of the dialogue is: “Equal power in leadership, decision-making and political participation for girls.’’
Umma noted that girls lacked adequate knowledge about self-care during menstrual cycles.
“Most girls do not have access to sanitary pads because of economic challenges.
“Most girls lack the knowledge about the menstrual flow and reproductive health because their parents also lacked the awareness,’’ she said.
She also appealed for the adoption of reproductive health education in schools curriculum in Bauchi State.
In his remarks, Mr. Nasiru Musa, Senior Programme Coordinator, Plan International Nigeria, said the NGO strategically planned to engage 10 million Nigerian girls in a program entitled: Strive, Decide, Lead and Learn’’ to be executed within five years starting from 2022.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed, expressed appreciation for the various interventions by stakeholders in various sectors of development.
Mohammed, who was represented by Mrs. Zuwaira Baba an official of the state’s Ministry of Health, said the state had introduced health interventions for adolescents and youths as well as integrated services in health facilities.
A representative of the UNFPA at the session, Ms. Deborah Tabara, said boys should not be left out in discussions surrounding menstrual education.
(NAN)
