Plan International Organization Ends Two Years Implemented Program On Menstrual Health  In Bauchi

Ajiya Ayuba

The Plan International Organization Of Nigeria with funding support from Kimberly-Clark Foundation (KCM) and the Kotex brand end two years implemented program on Menstrual Health Management (MHM) for adolescent girls in Bauchi.

The Organization is based on three things during their two years Program in the state of Adolescent Programming, Community Influencing, and Mass Media messaging which really help the Organization to impact knowledge in the lives of Adolescent girls in the state.

Mrs. Helen Idiong, who is the Director Programme Quality and Innovation of Plan International Organization said that their program is also in collaboration with Community Initiative for the promotion of the health and education sector as a partner.

“When I joined Plan, I heard that menstrual hygiene was a problem, it was a cultural shock because where I am coming from, that’s the southern part of this country it’s something like a given that everybody just knows it there. So, I was really glad when I heard that we have done some very innovative things, including the setting up of a Pad bank for girls.

She said in Nigeria, a significant percentage of women still lack adequate privacy for menstrual health management, they don’t have water, they don’t have sanitation, they don’t have privacy for this natural process and we have various cultural restrictions that have led to a culture of silence and shaming among school girls for something that is a natural biological process.

She explained that the lack of tangible materials such as hygiene pads, access to water, and gender-disaggregated toilets at schools and other public places have further compounded this problem, thereby leading to a lot of psycho-social challenges arising due to this formation.

“To address the challenges, Plan International with funding from Kimberly Clark and the Kotex menstrual pads brand implemented the project in 2021 using gender transformative processes which has resulted in positive change in attitude, including the elimination of stigma related to menstrual health and hygiene.

In his part, the executive chairman of the Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (BSPHCDA) Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed who was represented by Alhaji Suleiman Madugu appreciate the Plan International Organization of Nigeria for their two years implemented program in the state.

Mohammed said that “We need Plan International Organization Of Nigeria to stay fully in Bauchi State because of the wonderful development they bring to the good people of the state by giving knowledge to our adolescent girls on how to be managing their Menstrual period” Mohammed added

Adding that ” Our people are fully aware of what they need to know about menstrual hygiene.

While speaking on behalf of the adolescent girls during the concluded implemented program by the Plan International Nigeria, in Bauchi State, Maimunatu Dahiru Ibrahim from the game village school, thank the organization for the awareness to them.

Maimunatu said that ” In the past girls will discuss briefly issues about period, but now we can explain with full confidence” She added