The Executive Director, First Step Action for Children Initiatives, Mrs Rosemary Hua has identified menstrual justice and health among other needs as prerequisite for the realization of human rights for women.
Mrs Hua stated other needs to include access to education, public space, dignity and autonomy.
She stated this at a two- day training organised by First Step Action for Children Initiatives on Menstrual Health and Dignity held at the Bongos Ikwue Center for Youth Development and Entertainment, North Bank, Makurdi.
The Executive Director explained that the training was targeted at addressing menstrual justice and dignity concerns to ensure that decision makers in government commit resources in improving rights of girls on menstrual health, promote menstrual justice and dignity in a sustainable manner.
In a lead presentation on two topics, “Understanding Menstruation” and “Menstrual Hygiene Practices”, Doctor Ladi Swende, a Consultant with the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi advocated for the initiation and implementation of policies that would protect the dignity of menstruation among the women folk.
Also making a virtual presentation on “Menstrual Health and Human Rights in Benue”, Mr Huna Aondona called for a halt to some socio-cultural barriers affecting menstruating particularly in adolescent girls’ rights to dignity, education and gender equality in the state.
Reacting on the impact of the training, Some participants including Mrs Erdoo Sar, Chief Ugondo To and Timothy Ihom all underscored the importance of the training saying it availed them the opportunity to identify areas for improved awareness on menstrual hygiene and pledged to step down the knowledge gained to their various communities and offices.
Participants at the two-day training were drawn from education, health and community based organisations among others.
They observed that low access to menstrual hygiene products, poor washing facilities in schools, stigma and misinformation were some of the key challenges of menstruating women.
