By Samuel Tsen
Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have appealed to Benue people to accord respect and dignity to the female folk in their menstrual period instead of stigmatization.
The NGOs made the call during the commemoration of the World Menstrual Hygiene Management Day.
FOS FEMINISTAS International in collaboration with Alliance for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice and the First Step Action for Children in Benue State on Wednesday staged a walk from Savanna Roundabout down to IBB Square in Makurdi.
The exercise was aimed at creating awareness for people to stop stigmatizing and discriminating the female gender during their Menstrual periods.
This according to the organizers would help prevent the female folk from being traumatized and feeling isolated.
Marked with the theme: “From Hygiene to Dignity”, the participants displayed placards with inscriptions, “Menstrual Friendly World”, “Menstrual Blood is not Dirty”, “Talking about Period is not Shameful”, “Menstrual Hygiene is Human Right”; and marched from the Savannah Roundabout to the IBB Square in Makurdi with the call on members of the society to always stand for the girl child in such situation.
Speaking separately during the rally, Program Manager, First Step Action for Children Initiative, Patience Ogbiloju and Joy Ijuwo of Okaha Women Development Organization said they were out to correct some of the social norms in the society which are against Menstrual Hygiene and Menopause.
They also said the event was organized to inform the people that it is the duty of everyone to protect the girl child and women.
The group further called on governments at all levels to put down policies that would be conducive for the females rights, especially the prizes of pads which are fast skyrocketing.
