COVID-19: Wateraid urges govt, stakeholders to include menstrual health in recovery plans
COVID-19: Wateraid urges govt, stakeholders to include menstrual health in recovery plans
By Ahmed Ahmed
An NGO WaterAid Nigeria has urged Government and stakeholders to include menstrual health in in post COVID-19 pandemic recovery plans,
Dr Evelyn Mere, Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria made the call in a statement to Mark 2021 world Menstrual Hygiene Day on 28 May signed by Mrs Oluseyi Abdulmalik, Communications and Media Manager WaterAid Nigeria made available to Journalists on Friday in Bauchi.
The statement said We are calling on the government and relevant stakeholders to include menstrual health in post pandemic recovery plans.
“Mobilising resources to facilitate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities in public places that will provide safe and private spaces for women and girls to manage their periods hygienically.
“Increase access to sanitary products by partnering with the private sector to supply disposable sanitary products to girls in school and marginalised women.
“Reduce the stigma and shame around menstruation by promoting open discussion of menstrual health and hygiene and curriculum policy reforms.” The statement said.
According to the statement, “We need to create a world where no woman or girl is held back because she menstruates.
“This means a world in which every woman and girl is empowered to manage her menstruation safely, hygienically, with confidence and without shame.
“Menstrual health is vital to the empowerment and well-being of women and girls and beyond access to affordable sanitary products and water, sanitation and hygiene facilities,
The statement also reiterated ensuring women and girls live in an environment that values and supports their ability to manage their menstruation with dignity.
It added that by helping women and girls and all the people around them have the information awareness and the knowledge around this issue.
“It’s about making sure we have services that respond to the needs of our young girls and women.
“A lack of water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in public places like schools, offices, and healthcare centres means millions of women and girls are unable to manage their menstruation with dignity.
“It is a situation that is further fostering inequality and affecting the health of millions of women and girls This is unacceptable and things need to change,” The statement Stressed
Our Correspondent reported that The theme for this year’s campaign, ‘More action & investment in menstrual health & hygiene now!’ is a clear call to step up investment in menstrual health to ensure no woman or girl is held back because she menstruates
