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As part of its ongoing efforts to promote menstrual health, dignity and girls’ rights across Nigeria, The Inclusion Project (TIP) organised forums in Kano and Imo States through its Menstrual Hygiene and Reusable Pad Initiative.
The programme aimed to tackle period poverty, boost girls’ confidence, and ensure that menstruation does not impede their education or wellbeing.
A statement signed and made available to the media by the Director The Inclusion Project, Pamela Okoroigwe explained that during the forum held in Kano State, TIP facilitated a series of menstrual hygiene awareness sessions to empower adolescent girls’ with accurate information about their bodies, rights, and the importance of caring for their menstrual health without shame or stigma.
The sessions, Okoroigwe said included open discussions on myths surrounding menstruation, the importance of hygiene, and the role of education in enhancing girls’ confidence.
According to her, participants were also trained in the production of reusable sanitary pads using simple, affordable materials, a skill that not only promotes sustainability but also supports girls who may be unable to afford disposable pads every month.
The statement however reads in parts, “girls at the event shared that the training gave them knowledge they had never received before, and they can attend schools without fear of being stained by other materials they have used during their period.
“Many of them sometimes stayed home during their period, but now with these easy Do it-Yourself reusable pads, they don’t need to miss school’’.
On the forum held in Imo State, TIP Director in the statement said: “TIP continued its outreach with a menstrual hygiene empowerment workshop that brought together adolescent girls and women leaders for an interactive learning experience.
“The session emphasised the importance of menstrual health education as a pathway to confidence, dignity, self-awareness, and improved girls’ education.
“Participants learned how to create reusable pads using a simple three-layer method, gaining both knowledge and a long-term solution to challenges with menstrual product affordability and school attendance.
“The workshop also addressed harmful cultural beliefs and encouraged participants to advocate for themselves, emphasising that menstruation should never interrupt a girl’s education, movement, or opportunities.’’
During the Imo forum TIP Programme Manager, Oguchienti Jane, in the release noted that the girls also shared personal experiences of stigma and expressed how the training has helped them understand that menstruation is healthy, natural, and nothing to be ashamed of.
“Our work with girls in Kano and Imo reflects our belief that menstrual health is not just a hygiene issue, it is a matter of dignity, equality, and human rights.
“By teaching girls how to manage their periods safely and confidently, we are giving them the freedom to focus on their dreams without interruption.
“Through these combined efforts, TIP is not only providing practical tools but also championing girls’ voices, strengthening community awareness, and challenging systems that limit girls due to a lack of knowledge or resources.
“As TIP expands its Reusable Pad Initiative, the organisation reaffirms its commitment to building a society where no girl is held back from school by stigma, silence, or economic barriers.”
It is interesting to note that The Inclusion project launched this campaign with support from the Malala Fund following its interactions with girls in these communities and its observation of the impact of period poverty on girls’ attendance at school, health, and confidence.
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