UNICEF BOSS CANVASSES PROVISION OF BASIC HYGIENE KITS DURING MENSTRUAL PERIOD

REPORTER: EMEFIENA OKONKWO

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist of the United Nations Children’s Fund, (UNICEF) Enugu Field Office, Mrs. Rebecca Bolatito-Gabriel says girls and young women need to be supported with basic hygiene kits and emotionally, as they often experience pains and mood swings during mensuration period.

Speaking in a media briefing in Enugu, as part of activities to mark this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day, Ms. Bolatito-Gabriel explains that Menstrual Hygiene Day, marked on 28th May every year, symbolizes the average twenty-eight days it takes a girl or young woman to see her period, while May being the fifth month in the year, symbolizes the average five days for the mentrual flow or cycle.

Mrs. Bolatito-Gabriel, who noted that this year made it 10th Anniversary since Menstrual Hygiene Day was instituted, encouraged families, caregivers and governments to ensure that girls and young women were provided with sanitary pads, soaps, underwears and facilities for a Period Friendly World.

According to the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Specialist, the provision of facilities such as Water, Soap, sanitary pads and modern toilets with space for girls and then for the boys, will ensure that girls won’t skip school during their period, or do not have to go back home to look after themselves.

In this regards, she noted that UNICEF had complemented government’s efforts by providing numerous re-usable sanitary pads to girl students, which she explained are environmental friendly and sustainable, and other facilities to schools.

It included internally displaced people’s camps, for the safety of the girls, stating that much still needed to be done.

Menstrual Hygiene Day equally raises awareness about the challenges faced by girls and young women who do not have access to menstrual products.

The theme for this year’s  Menstrual Hygiene Day is,” Period Friendly World”.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU