Pads for progress: Bauchi youth group promotes menstrual hygiene

The Zaar Youth Development Association has trained over 200 girls on menstrual hygiene in Bauchi State.

The training focused on girls between the ages of 11 and 20, equipping them with knowledge and sanitary products.

Miss Zaar, Manyar Alkamu, convened the training to create awareness and erase stigma around menstruation.

Alkamu emphasized that young girls should not feel shy or ashamed of their menstrual cycle.

She explained that the distribution of sanitary pads was to support the training and ensure proper hygiene.

“My aim is to make girls understand their value and role in society,” Alkamu stated.

She stressed that menstruation should not be a barrier to girls’ education or their future aspirations.

Manyar urged parents to maintain open communication with their daughters about menstrual health.

Keynote speaker, Charity Solomon, encouraged the girls to dream big and pursue education seriously.

“To contribute to humanity, you need to be intentional about education,” Solomon advised.

She urged them to explore global development and leverage technology for innovative solutions.

Solomon also warned the girls against engaging in immoral activities that could hinder their future.

Youth Leader of the Zaar Youth Development Association, Samu Haruna, also addressed the participants.

He pointed out that menstrual health is not just a women’s issue but a societal concern.

“It affects education, self-esteem, and overall well-being,” Haruna noted.

He lamented that many girls miss school due to a lack of access to sanitary products.

According to him, menstrual stigma often makes girls feel ashamed of a natural biological process.

Haruna expressed confidence that the training will help girls manage their periods with dignity.

“You are powerful. Your period does not define you,” he encouraged the participants.

He advised them not to allow menstruation to hold them back from pursuing their dreams.

Haruna reassured them of continuous support from the Zaar Youth Development Association.

The training session ended with an interactive discussion and distribution of sanitary pads.

Participants expressed gratitude for the knowledge and materials provided during the event.

Many described the training as an eye-opener that changed their perception of menstruation.

The initiative aligns with ongoing efforts to improve menstrual hygiene awareness in Nigeria.

Experts have consistently advocated for better menstrual health education across communities.

Access to sanitary products remains a challenge for many girls, especially in rural areas.

Programs like this are seen as crucial in addressing such issues and breaking taboos.

Stakeholders urge government and organizations to support similar initiatives nationwide.

Menstrual hygiene education is key to empowering young girls and boosting their confidence.

The Zaar Youth Development Association promised to sustain efforts in supporting young girls.

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