As part of its corperate social responsibility (CSR), African Youths Initiative for Good Governance and Peace has educated young girls on menstrual hygiene and donated sanitary towels in Jos, Plateau State.
The convener, Oyewole Michael, said the project, tagged ‘Pad A Girl’, followed global demand for greater understanding of challenges menstruating schoolgirls face and attendant potential risks and consequences. He regretted that most residents of rural and urban poor areas could not afford sanitary pad, thus, resort to unsanitary and unhygienic means that portends danger to them and others.
“This is what we routinely do as a part of our contributions to the community and humanity. In the course of carrying out this project, several studies have shown that menstruating schoolgirls in Nigeria face many challenges, which affect their ability to manage their menstruation in a dignified and hygienic way. For us, we understand it is pertinent and we respect their privacy and maintain dignity of beneficiaries,” he explained.
Michael said there was more work to do as regards the stigma and taboo around menstruation in most parts of the country. He noted that this disheartening culture/mindset inflicts indignity upon women and girls, as well as violates their rights to non-discrimination, equality, bodily integrity, health, privacy and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment.
One of the beneficiaries, Timkat Benedicta, appreciated the organisation for the kind gesture, while pledging to share the information learnt on menstrual and personal hygiene with her peers.
(Guardian)
