Centre for School Health Education and Environmental Hygiene (CSHEEH) has called for the provisions of menstrual facilities to ensure an adequate sanitation system in schools.

CSHEEH founder, Folasade Momoh, made the call at an occasion to celebrate the 2022 World Menstrual Hygiene Day organised to sensitise students of the Government Girls Science Secondary School, Kuje in Abuja.

“The day aims to break the stigma around menstruation, provide access to menstrual health education, hygiene and raise awareness about the challenges associated with access to period- friendly sanitation,” said Ms Momoh. “It also aims at engaging decision makers to increase the political priority and catalyze action for Menstrual health and hygiene at Global, National and local levels.”

Salamatu Abdullahi-Sabo, founder of the 7th June Empowerment initiative, stressed the need for abstinence among underage girls and the importance of self-preservation for every woman.

“The awareness program on menstrual hygiene and associating challenges has been put together to further educate the girl child to avoid risk factors that will lead to poor menstrual hygiene,” Ms Abdullahi-Sabo noted. “There is a need to invest more significantly in menstrual health and safety hygiene and also provide an enabling environment for young girls to avoid future challenges caused by poor menstrual hygiene.”

Also speaking during a health presentation, Mary Clement, a gynaecologist, said poor menstrual hygiene, lack of access to hygiene facilities and products might lead to cervical cancer.

“It is called the cancer of the mouth of the womb. Eighty per cent is caused by human papilloma virus (HPB) and that is why we are creating this awareness today. Today is designed to mark the world menstrual day. The role of menstrual hygiene can never be over emphasised. We need to keep enlightening girls of this age,” stated Ms Clement.

(NAN)