UNICEF trains stakeholders on menstrual health

The United Nations Education Fund (UNICEF) has trained stakeholders on menstrual hygiene management. The training programme held in Boki Local Government Area of of Cross River State was aimed at building capacities of primary schools teachers and children, including key facilitators on menstrual hygiene management and other health-related issues. The MHM programmes organised by  Cross […]

The United Nations Education Fund (UNICEF) has trained stakeholders on menstrual hygiene management.

The training programme held in Boki Local Government Area of of Cross River State was aimed at building capacities of primary schools teachers and children, including key facilitators on menstrual hygiene management and other health-related issues.

The MHM programmes organised by  Cross River Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, RUWATSSA, in collaboration with UNICEF kicked- off with a Training- of Trainers’ (TOT) which also was  to build capacities of 51 pioneer participants drawn from RUWATSSA, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs),Local Government Heads of Education and WASH in the two selected  areas of Boki and Yakurr Local Governments, is expected to be stepped down in the various primary schools in the areas.

Highlighting objectives of the workshop, Cross River UNICEF Consultant, Mr. James Beetseh,  lamented however, that, a World Health Organisation (WHO) study of MHM shows 96% school girls in Nigeria are not aware of menstruation, prior to its onset, while 100% of sampled girls believed that it is secret and should not be discussed openly.

Mr. Beetseh said they would elicit support from stakeholders to promote good health, safety and school enrolment of the girl child

Director-General, RUWATSSA, Mr. Ita-Wier Ikpeme, described the workshop as apt and thanked UNICEF for its unending efforts to make the State Open Defecation Free (ODF) and ending mortality of  mothers and children in rural communities.

Mrs. Okama Usani of RUWATSSA said that, in many cultures menstruation was a taboo subject and women and girls often felt ashamed discussing it.