From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in partnership with Benue State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, BERWASSA, has marked the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day, (MHD), distributing free sanitary pads and hygiene kits to pupils in Makurdi, the state capital.
The event which took place at the NKST Primary School, Wadata also witnessed talks on first menstrual experience, mental hygiene and how to overcome challenges face by the girl child during menstruation among others.
The Acting General Manager of BERWASSA, Mr. Tony Mkpen stated that the day is marked annually to create awareness on the importance of good Menstrual Hygiene.
Mkpen who was represented by the Head of Sanitation, Mr. Isaac Ada, aside creating awareness “the day’s activities seeks to break the taboos and traditional practices that impede menstruation and its management.”
Mkpen noted that “in developing countries like Nigeria, women’s choices to good menstrual hygiene materials are limited due largely to poverty and social norms. Inadequate and poor access to sanitation facilities is critical to feminine hygiene.
“In this regard, the State Government under the dynamic and purposeful leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia has done much in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, (WASH) sector through release of counterpart funds for WASH programmes resulting in increased access to water, sanitation and Hygiene facilities and services across the state.”
He advised the pupils to imbibe proper menstrual hygiene practices for a healthy society.
The UNICEF State WASH Facilitator, Mrs. Joy James-Nwonu who took the children on several hygiene practises during menstruation urged them to be free to communicate with their parents and teachers and not see menstruation as a taboo.
“You must always speak up and also not dispose menstrual kits indiscriminately to harm yourselves or others in the environment.”
She advised the boys to support the girls when they started their menstruation so that they do not feel shy or excluded. She noted that their support would also ensure that the girls do not stop school when they start menstruating.
The WASH Facilitator disclosed that with the support of BERWASSA and UNICEF we are also here to distribute 200 packs of pads to the girls to support them and ensure that they have the materials when it is needed.”
Taking the pupils on basic hygiene practices during menstruation, the Head of Department, HOD Hygiene, at BERWASSA, Hembadoon Amusan urged them to always inform their parents when they start menstruation and not with outsiders. She also encourage them to imbibe cleanliness during every period.
The Head Teacher of the school, Mr. James Shaaku represented by Mrs. Tabitha Akile appreciated UNICEF and BERWASSA for the program and gifts promising it would be given to the girls.
The pupils who benefited from the gifts, Precious Oke and her friends expressed excitement at the gifts promising to put them to good use.