NGO sensitises secondary school girls in Enugu community on menstrual hygiene

By Agency Report

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) has sensitised Secondary School girls in Opi Community, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State on how to maintain proper menstrual hygiene.

Speaking during the sensitisation seminar in Nsukka on Friday Mrs. Vivian Nwagbo, the Founder and Executive Director, Heroes of our Time African Foundation.

Nwagbo who is a Lawyer said that the aim was to educate and provide accurate information to young girls about their monthly menstruation.

"We believe is better to catch them young, so that they will maintain proper menstrual hygiene on their monthly period that would help promote good health and fertility.

"The seminar is to educate young girls on how to maintain proper menstrual hygiene, to avoid contracting infections that may cause infertility when they marry.

" May 28 every year is commemorated as Mensural Hygiene Day, we are doing this to key in and educate young girls on their monthly menstruation," she said.

The Director disclosed that the seminar was organised by her foundation and sponsored by Anyahuma Foundation, a foundation that gives hope to the hopeless as well as promotes good health.

She advised young girls to focus on their studies and avoid any form of sex until they married to avoid destroying their future.

Speaking Mrs. Chinazo Eya, a Pharmacist and Fertility Expert said that menstruation remains a fact of life for every woman since without it a woman can not get pregnant or have babies.

"Your monthly period is your pride as a woman because without it you can not get pregnant or have babies when you marry, that's why you must maintain proper menstrual hygiene.

"Ensure proper menstrual hygiene during your monthly period to avoid contracting infections that may lead to infertility or other health problems' she said.

Eya who is  also a Lecturer at  the Department of Pharmacy, University of Nigeria Nsukka, advised girls who have crossed 16 years but had not seen their menarche (first menstruation) to seek medical attention to find out what is wrong

"Is expected that a girl will see her first menstrual period between the age of 10 to 16, so if it fails to occur within this time, please seek medical attention because something may be wrong.

"Also, if your menstrual cycle is below 21 days and above 35 days seek medical attention, because it is not normal.

" if your monthly period last for one day only or above seven days, also see a doctor something is wrong.

"Ensure that you keep your body clean, eat good food, fruits, vegetables, and engage in exercise during your monthly period," she said.

The don further advised them to use what she had taught them on how to count their menstruation cycle to know the next date of their monthly period.

"If you know the next date your  period  will come out, you will get prepared and put a sanitary pad in your bag so that you will not be disgraced in public

"If you are experiencing painful menstruation, take pain relief tablets starting from two days before your period, it will help stop the pain," she said.

The fertility expert commended the organiser and sponsor of the event, noting that, it would go a long way to promote fertility and overall healthcare of girls.

In a remark,  Mrs. Bethel Ezeugwu, an Ambassador of Global Project International and a Gender Violence Activist said that women should not be discriminated against culturally, politically, or religiously just because they are women who menstruate every month.

Ezeugwu urged the young girls to report any form of gender discrimination or violence against them to the appropriate authorities for immediate action.

"I urge you girls to report any form of gender violence against you, as we are ready to give you the necessary support to ensure that the perpetrator did not go unpunished," she said.

Earlier, Mr. Fortunate Ezeugwu who represented Mrs Ekene Ugwuegede, the Founder of Anyahuma Foundation, said that the foundation decided to sponsor the event because it would educate young girls on menstrual hygiene and promote their good health.

" Young girls are future mothers, so it's important to educate them on menstrual hygiene to ensure their overall healthcare," she said.

Some of the girls who spoke to our reporter thanked the organiser and sponsor of the programme, for educating and sensitising them on menstrual hygiene.

They said that what they have learned from the seminar would help them immensely in life and they promised to teach other girls who didn't attend the event.

Our correspondent reports that,  the highlight of the event was  distribution of a pack of sanitary pad free of charge to all girls who attended the seminar.
(NAN)