By Joke Falaju
The Federal Government has pledged to scale up efforts to develop a comprehensive policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM).
The Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye while speaking at an engagement on the development of MHHM supported by WaterAid Nigeria and Population Services International in Abuja said the government is committed to addressing menstrual health and hygiene as they are issues related to the health dignity and empowerment of women and girls.
The Minister who was represented by the Director, Child Development, Mr Andrew Maidugu, said the meeting is a pivotal step towards developing a comprehensive national policy on menstrual health and hygiene in Nigeria.
He said the ultimate goal of developing a framework is to address menstrual health and tackle issues including hygiene, accessibility, education, and stigma.
Maidugu said, “It is our shared goal that MHHM are central to intervention program for women and girls as it is not just a human right issue but a gender issue which must be tackled to promote the health of women and girls.”
While commending WaterAid and Population Services International for sponsoring the programme, he disclosed that the membership of the technical working group for the development of the policy cuts across MDAs and called on them to use their diverse knowledge to improve menstrual hygiene.
He urged them to bring in perspectives that will enrich and guide towards drafting the national policy on menstrual health and hygiene management in Nigeria.
The head of Advocacy, Programs and communications, Mr Kolawole Banwo, said the the aim of the meeting aims to ensure government, and stakeholders support women and girls to manage their menstrual hygiene with safety, dignity and pride such that students should not stop going to school because of their menstrual hygiene neither should women be prevented from going to the market
He said, “We want to ensure the environment is confusing enough wherever they are and their period comes, they should not be disadvantaged simply because of something that is natural, both women and partners has roles to play, but their is need for policy that brings everyone together.”
