Committed to tackling the menstrual hygiene management challenge among young girls, Mercy Corps Nigeria, with support from the Department for International Development , initiated the Girls’ Education Challenge Fund which focused on mentoring 18,000 marginalised girls in Kano, Kaduna and Lagos states where young girls were taught how to manage menstruation and maintain personal hygiene, writesJacqueline Bonnet and her colleagues, who participated in the Education of Nigerian Girls in New...
Victory Bonnet, another of the beneficiaries, said the programme had taught her to take her bath regularly and change the rag or wrapper they had used and wash and dry them under the sun.Some young girls interviewed on the issue of management menstruation and how to practice personal hygiene, expressed their views excitedly.A survey conducted in Narayi and Bayan Dutse communities of Kaduna State, showed that girls experience some challenges during their menstruation periods.
She said she noticed blood stains on her skirt while playing outside with friends and rushed home so that her friends would not notice it, adding that she tried to hide it from her mother, but it was late. “She then apologised for not telling me earlier, and told me to inform her whenever I experience something strange.
Committed to tackling the menstrual hygiene management challenge among young girls, Mercy Corps Nigeria, with support from the Department for International Development , initiated the Girls’ Education Challenge Fund.Diana Agabi, Senior Project Officer, Team Leader ENGINE ll Kaduna, stated that the programme had trained teachers in 36 schools located in six local government areas of Kaduna State on Menstrual Hygiene Management .
Some community leaders and parents attributed lack of proper menstrual hygiene among young girls to poverty and lack of good communication between parents and their wards. He called on parents, especially fathers, to be close to their daughters and provide them with all the necessary support they need so that they won’t seek assistance from strangers who might take advantage of them.