Bukola Afeni
A group of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Experts has called on the Government at all levels to speed up efforts in putting an end to open defecation.
The group is seeking the provision of Toilet, potable water, and changing rooms in all schools in Nigeria.
Speaking during the International Day of the Girl Child celebration, the CEO of Citizen Participation Advancement and Awareness Initiative, Mrs Funmi Olorunmola, pleaded that a pad bank be provided for the girl child in every school.
“We need to take care of cases of impromptu menstruation. It will help the girl child to concentrate on her education.
The relevance of good toilet facilities is critical to enhancing menstrual hygiene in the girl child”, she said.
The WASH advocate also advised the government to provide water for rural communities.
“Portable water should be located in communities close to the children. If a girl has to trek to school for one hour, she will get tired easily, and be dehydrated easily.
” Imagine a girl going to the stream to get water to clean herself, and some of them when they get to the stream they are ambushed or raped. Whenever some of the girls are menstruating they may not have access to good portable water either at home or in the school”, he said.
The Gender and Social Inclusion Officer, Kukah Centre, Amina Joy Jatau, urged family members to support the girl child while menstruating.
She also encouraged every member of the community to support the girls and women in their cycle.
The Gender Expert commended all organizations at the forefront of spreading the message about WASH hygiene.
“We are making progress because the message is wide. We are going to communities to sensitise the girl child and men about the importance of menstrual hygiene”, he said.
A student of the school, Goodness Oke, said it is very difficult for her to purchase menstrual pads due to economic issues in the country.
“Sometimes parents cannot afford menstrual pads due to the situation of the country. Lack of toilet and water are the major challenges in school and the community”, she said.
