By Uzairu Dauda:
The Bauchi State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening menstrual health and hygiene practices across the state to ensure that girls and women menstruate with dignity and without discrimination.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Child Development, Dr. Lydia Haruna Tsammani, gave the assurance during a road walk organised to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day in Bauchi.
Represented by the Director of Women Affairs, Hajiya Hadiza Isa Ahmed, the commissioner stressed that every girl deserves dignity during her menstrual period.
She described menstruation as a natural biological process for women and girls, emphasizing that it should never be a source of shame or stigma.
According to her, the state government is determined to ensure that no girl misses school because of menstruation, noting that girls are future leaders whose education must not be disrupted by inadequate menstrual health support.
Dr. Tsammani called on stakeholders to work together to break the silence surrounding menstruation and promote menstrual health education, enabling girls to receive accurate information before the onset of their first menstrual cycle.
Speaking at the event, the Bauchi State Team Lead of Population Services International (PSI), Mr. Jeremiah Panshark Kassem, urged the state government to establish and implement menstrual hygiene policies backed by legislation to promote a healthier and more inclusive society.
He commended the state government for its efforts in advancing the sanitary pad bank initiative and encouraged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society groups to intensify advocacy campaigns aimed at improving menstrual health awareness and support for women and girls.
Mr. Kassem also praised the Ministry of Women Affairs and Child Development for its consistent leadership in championing menstrual hygiene initiatives through advocacy, sensitisation programmes, and community outreach activities that promote menstrual dignity among adolescent girls and women.
On his part, the Chairman of the Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organisations, Mr. Jinjiri J. Garba, said protecting and empowering girls from an early age is fundamental to national development.
He assured stakeholders of the network’s commitment to promoting policies and programmes that prioritise the needs of adolescent girls.
Mr Garba urged stakeholders not to relent in their efforts to ensure that women and girls receive the attention, support, and justice they deserve on issues relating to menstrual health and hygiene.
Also speaking, the representative of the Nigerian Women Rights and Empowerment Network, Ms. Precious Ojonya, encouraged women and girls to embrace menstruation with confidence and pride, free from stigma and discrimination.
She applauded the growing support of men in menstrual health advocacy and expressed optimism that Bauchi State would emerge as a leading example in promoting menstrual health and hygiene across Nigeria.
