The Project Manager of First Action for Children Initiative, Mrs. Ene Ogbiloja, has called for the normalization of conversations around menstruation to give it the desired dignity. Mrs. Ogbiloja made the call during a two-day Advocacy Policy Development training held at the Bongos Ikwue Centre for Youth Development and Entertainment, North Bank, Makurdi.
She said menstruation is a biological occurrence that brings about childbirth and therefore should be celebrated and dignified rather than stigmatized. Mrs. Ogbiloja said the training was carefully planned to empower participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools required to influence policies and advocate for menstrual health rights and dignity of girls and women.
Mrs. Ogbiloja said participation has been encouraging, as members have exhibited high interest in the cause. “Behavioral change involves a series of activities, and from the conversations we are having, I see a lot of contributions and commitment from them, so we are beginning to have a shift from the previous tendencies of not having conversations on menstrual health to normalizing conversations around menstruation.
“Menstruation is a biological occurrence. It brings about childbirth, and without it, a woman cannot reproduce. There cannot be any procreation, so just as we celebrate childbirth, let us also celebrate and dignify menstruation; it is a beautiful thing. If we support menstruating women and girls, the narrative will change. Let us normalize conversations around it wherever we find ourselves,” Mrs. Ogbiloja advised.
In her remarks, the Executive Director of First Step Action for Children Initiative, Mrs. Nanji Rosemary Hua, said her organization was working in collaboration with FOS Feminista, a French donor, to address menstrual justice and dignity concerns in the most comprehensive manner.
According to her, participants in the training, who have been chosen as partners in the advocacy, were drawn from the health sector, education, civil society organizations, traditional council, and the media, among others. She therefore appealed for the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders in addressing the issue.
Project Manager, Mrs Patience Ene Ogbiloja
The training had facilitators, including Akuse John, the Executive Director of J&J Business Development and Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Programmes, who made presentations on the Concept of Advocacy, Developing Effective Advocacy Strategy, Menstrual Health and Human Rights, and Addressing Stigma and Taboos in Menstrual Hygiene Management.
Asugo Terkura, Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Learning, and Research at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Office, made a presentation on the Imperative of Monitoring Advocacy Campaigns.
Reacting to the training, a participant, Chief Tov Simon Ugondo, Kindred Head of Wurukum in Makurdi Local Government, expressed delight at the training, saying it had broadened his knowledge about advocacy, and promised to step down the knowledge gathered to his community.
The Kindred Head also promised to share the information in his council meetings, family, and with his subjects, as it was his desire to lead the advocacy against harmful practices related to menstruation. He described the advocacy training as very important.
Also, Mrs. Comfort Iorpuu, a staff member of Family Support Programme (FSP), Makurdi, said she was impressed, as the training exposed her to more realities about menstrual hygiene and advocacy, even as a health worker. Mrs. Iorpuu also promised to ensure the practicalization of the knowledge gained, maintaining that, as a mother, she had the responsibility of preparing her girl child for the changes she would experience in her body as a woman.
