Following series of trainings by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Nigeria, female students in Adamawa state can now produce reusable sanitary pads and make money out of it.
The development has made critical stakeholders in the educational sector of the state commend UNICEF for its continuous support and interventions which have improved the living standards of children over the years.
The commendation was made by Teachers and school children during a recent field visit by a team of UNICEF Officials and Journalists from the Bauchi Field Office to some schools in Jada and Guyuk local government areas of the state.
The visit was to observe the impact of the training to curb the incidences of stigmatization, non-attendance of school, non-adherence to hygiene during menstrual periods and other harmful practices.
The training for the stakeholders was funded by the Netherlands Directorate-General for International Cooperation Accelerated Sanitation and Water for All Programme ll (DGIS-ASWA II) in conjunction with UNICEF.
Teachers, male and female school children were trained on the need to adhere to best practices, especially on personal hygiene of female school children relating to menstruation during school hours and even at home in the state.
One of the outcomes of the training was that, perceptions on the primitive and negative beliefs on menstruation by females in the society have been changed as it was discussed in the open not as it used to be in the past.
One of the trainees said that, “ But with the UNICEF intervention, stakeholders are now on the same page and discussing the issue freely without any strings attached”.
The outcome according to the stakeholders has become a win-win situation for the growth of Education in the area.
Another trainee said that, “Now, young girls are making money as a result of training from the new entrepreneurship opportunity owning to their abilities to manufacture reusable menstrual pads locally which is cheaper and can be reused for up to six months.”
During a one day field visit to Tsohon Tikke Primary school, one of the schools which benefited from the training by UNICEF, stakeholders narrated to the visiting team of Reporters, how the intervention had changed their world views about menstruation completely.
Musa Umar, Head Teacher of the School, noted that the contributions of the partners, especially UNICEF can never be over emphasised explaining that what used to be in the dark has been brought to the daylight courtesy of the training as issues surrounding menstruation are freely table in the open.
According to him, “In a conservative society such as ours, it was hitherto seen as moral bankruptcy to talk about issues like that. In fact, when the issue was first muted to me I shrank with excitement and fear because I could not see myself, a Fulani man discussing such issue with my students.”
Musa Umar added that, “But as it is now, the training has led to a seamless relationship between the parents, teachers and the students and whenever any friction arises as a result of misconception, we usually address that amicably in a family way.”
He noted that most of the issues around menstruation especially concerning new starters have been nipped in the bud because of the massive awareness as both students, teachers and parents have built mutual trust on the subject.
The Head Teacher commended UNICEF for equipping the school with a borehole, and modern toilet facilities for boys and girls, noting that the development has improved learning atmosphere in the school.
While thanking UNICEF, WASH Coordinator of Jada local government, Obadia David said that no fewer than 60 children from the age of 13 to 17 across 20 schools in the area have been impacted just as he urged other well meaning individuals and organizations to complement the good gesture.
In her view as a beneficiary and student, Aisha Sulaiman advanced that, the knowledge impacted on them will go a long way in changing the narrative without fear of repercussions.
Aisha Sulaiman also noted that making of the local pads have addressed the challenges of skipping classes due to menstrual flow as well as monetary pressure of having to buy the manufactured pads which goes at an exorbitant price.
