A non-governmental organisation, MaryMine Mother’s Care Initiative Network, has stepped up advocacy efforts aimed at improving menstrual hygiene awareness and reducing stigma associated with menstruation among schoolgirls in Benue State.
The initiative was carried out in partnership with Cheerful Hands Initiative (CHI), Arboot Global Services Ltd and Moskay Consulting Hub, with financial support from Zenith Bank. The sensitisation programme was held on Friday at Tilley Gyado College in Makurdi and drew students from several schools within the state capital.
With the theme “Dignity in Class: Let’s Build a Period-Friendly World,” the programme focused on educating adolescents on menstruation as a normal biological process while discouraging discrimination against girls during their monthly cycle.
Founder of MaryMine Mother’s Care Initiative Network, Mrs MaryMine Hyembe, explained that the campaign was designed to promote accurate knowledge of menstruation and eliminate harmful myths and misconceptions.
She said the inclusion of boys in the programme was intentional, noting that they play an important role in creating a supportive environment for their female peers.
“Many people think menstruation is only a subject for girls, but we involved boys so they can better understand and support their sisters, classmates and future partners,” she said.
Hyembe noted that lack of proper education on menstruation often leads to ridicule, embarrassment and social exclusion of girls in schools, adding that continuous awareness was necessary to build confidence and dignity among adolescents.
She also called on schools to make sanitary pads part of their first aid provisions to assist students who may experience unexpected menstrual flow while in school.
According to her, limited awareness among parents remains a challenge, as it affects the quality of guidance provided to young girls at home.
She further disclosed that the organisation has extended its outreach to rural communities, where women and girls are being educated on menstrual hygiene management and provided with sanitary products where possible.
Hyembe, however, highlighted funding constraints as a major challenge, appealing to corporate organisations, development partners and individuals to support the initiative.
A representative of the Benue State Ministry of Education and Knowledge Management, Mrs Caroline Omeka, commended the organisers, describing the programme as a timely intervention that would strengthen awareness among students.
Executive Director of Cheerful Hands Initiative, Miss Becky Banker, said the partnership was aimed at addressing menstrual poverty and improving access to hygiene products and accurate information for girls.
She expressed optimism that sustained awareness would help reshape perceptions around menstruation and encourage healthier hygiene practices among young people.
One of the students, Miss Kehemen Comfort of UBE St Mary’s North Bank, Makurdi, said the programme had improved her understanding of menstruation and the importance of maintaining proper hygiene.
A teacher at Tilley Gyado College, Ms Garba Vera, also described the sensitisation exercise as insightful and urged parents to take menstrual health education more seriously.