Bukola Afeni
The Project Manager of WaterAid Nigeria, Namba Micheal, has called on Federal Government to put in place policies that will ensure women and girls have access to adequate Water, Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH), during their menstrual cycle.
She made the disclosure at a program to mark the World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration at Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja.
According to the Project Manager, the government should ensure that policies that will aid good Menstrual Hygiene should be implemented.
“Menstruation is a critical aspect of girls and women’s development. The government should implement policies that will improve access to good portable water for all Nigerians.
” We will keep supporting the government and other stakeholders to ensure that special attention is paid to the need of girls and women during menstruation “, she noted.
The project Manager also emphasized the need to eliminate the stigma that is associated with menstruation.
“Every member of the society should be properly informed about the importance of menstruation. Girls and women should not be looked down upon whenever they are in their menstrual cycle.
“Boys and men need to be fully involved in menstrual issues. They should support their female friends, families and colleagues during their menstrual cycle”, she said.
UNICEF WASH Specialist Job Ominyi urged the government and stakeholders to support girls and women in the aspect of menstrual hygiene management.
He added that girls and women should be given support in terms of the provision of water and toilet facilities.
” Girls and women face a lot of difficulties while menstruating, they usually find it hard to join some activities. They sometimes feel less and little than other people, due to not receiving enough support”, he said.
The WASH Specialist further called on government and other stakeholders to provide adequate toilet facilities in public institutions and densely populated locations.
The Chairman of Yagazie Foundation, Kennedy Yagazie, noted that the menstrual hygiene crisis should be reduced drastically, and therefore called on the government to be supportive in this regard.
He disclosed that lack of menstrual hygiene management has led to mortality rate in Nigeria.
“We are approximately 200 million Nigerians, and 30% of the citizens do not have access to menstrual care management, this is not a good representation. Some girls and women have lost their lives due to improper menstrual hygiene”, he said.
He further called on the new government to ensure that the issue of Water Sanitation and Hygiene is prioritized, such that girls and women will be comfortable during their menstrual cycle.
