Lagos: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has encouraged girls to embrace menstruation with pride and confidence, recognising themselves as vital contributors to humanity’s sustainability. Mrs Aderonke Akinwole, Social and Behavioural Change Specialist at UNICEF, gave the advice during an event on Wednesday organised with the Nigeria Girls’ Guild and Lagos State Primary Health Care Board.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was held to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHDay) and was attended by students from both public and private schools across Lagos. With the theme ‘Together for a Period Friendly World’, the event aimed to raise awareness and promote dignity in menstrual hygiene. Mrs Akinwole emphasized that menstruation should be celebrated as it marks a girl’s transition into womanhood and her ability to sustain life.
Mrs Akinwole stressed the importance of girls seeking accurate and helpful information to remain safe, clean, and healthy during their menstrual periods. She urged the state government to enhance sensitisation efforts and to incorporate menstrual hygiene education in school curricula, religious settings, and community platforms. She also warned against the stigmatisation of menstruation, particularly from boys, and called for educational efforts to foster respect for menstruation as a normal part of life.
Mrs Honfor Adesola, Director of Education at Lagos State Primary Education Board, commended UNICEF for its efforts in promoting menstrual hygiene and addressing issues that affect girls. She highlighted the importance of maintaining menstrual hygiene to prevent infections and ensure comfort during the menstrual cycle. Additionally, the event served to raise awareness about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is available for free at health centres throughout Lagos.
Adesola encouraged girls to discuss the HPV vaccine with their parents to obtain consent, thereby ensuring protection against cervical cancer. The vaccine is available for girls aged nine to fourteen in state facilities, though many have not yet been vaccinated.
Ethagah Divine, Head Girl of New Estate Baptist Secondary School, Surulere, called on NGOs to provide sanitary pads for girls and to organize more campaigns to distribute free menstrual products, as UNICEF has done. Miss Emmanuella Azubuike, a student from the same school, expressed her appreciation to UNICEF and its partners for the impactful awareness event, urging more NGOs to support similar initiatives to educate young girls about menstrual hygiene and HPV.