By Princely Onyenwe, Abuja
The Nigeria Association of women Journalists , NAWOJ, Imo state, in collaboration with De King Charity Foundation, empowered some teenaged school children with necessary life skills and menstrual hygiene products in commemoration of the 2022 world menstrual hygiene day.
Nneoma Ahukana gathered that the Imo NAWOJ Chairman, Dr Mrs Dorothy Nnaji, pointed out that menstruation was an integral aspect of life which heralded the commencement of womanhood without which pregnancy and motherhood would be impossible.
She noted that contrary to some cultural beliefs menstruation was not a stigma or taboo but a normal fact of life hence the theme for this year was ” Making Menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030″
She harped on the importance of maintaining hygienic practice during the monthly flow, particularly the use of sanitary pads which many growing girls and women are unable to afford, as she called on concerned individuals , corporate organizations and NGOs to join in providing menstrual hygiene products free.
The resource persons who delivered lectures at the event included Mrs Chinwe Abanobi, from the state Ministry of Health, and Mrs Blessing Duru, from Alliance for Africa.
In her lecture on the importance of Menstrual hygiene, Mrs Chinwe Abanobi highlighted healthy practices to observe during Menstruation to include change of sanitary pads regularly every 6hours and more often for those with heavy flow, stressing that use of tissues or cloth was highly discouraged.
She advised on bathing regularly, washing the vagina without soap , and proper disposal of used pads among other things as she warned that lack of menstral hygiene causes infections, rash, infertility, which can negatively affect the the entire reproductive life of a woman.”
On her part, Mrs Blessing Duru, spoke on numerous Sexual and Gender based violence issues against girls and women, advising that girls must learn life skills that will empower them against being victimized.
She harped on the need to acquire life skills such as effective communication, negotiation skills, being assertive, building friendship skills, empathy , sensitization on HIV/ AIDS among others.
Highpoint of the celebration was the distribution of menstrual hygiene products to the participants drawn from Princeton International’ College, Owerri.
The event took place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Secretariat.
9News Nigeria (Owerri)
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