Stakeholders in the advocacy for Menstrual Health have assured of sustained commitment to working on issues that will address problems associated with Menstrual Hygiene and Dignity.
The stakeholders made the commitment on Wednesday at a Community Dialogue Meeting on the report on findings from a dissemination survey recently conducted in selected Communities in Makurdi town.
The Community Dialogue meeting organized by First Step Action for Children Initiative fractured stakeholders from education, health, civil society organizations, human rights, associations and groups, who reflected on the findings, shared experiences, and collaborative efforts on sustainable solutions to improve menstrual health outcomes in the State.
Participants in the education sector led by the Area Education Officer for Guma Local Government, Mr. Ternenge Tume said the State Ministry of Education would formulate policies that can accommodate the dignity of menstruating girls such as inclusion of menstrual dignity to educational curriculum, development and building of frameworks that will ensure sustainability.
Contributing, Dr Mahmud Binga, Edward Umenger and Erdoo Sar all called for the provision of first aid boxes that will contain menstrual kits while the Kindred Head of Wurukum, Chief Simon Ugondo-Tov representing the Traditional Institution, said they will sustain efforts at sensitizing the subjects on the need to halt traditional taboos that constitute dangers on the menstrual dignity of girls.
Also speaking a Medical practitioner, Dr Ladi Swende, David Alumunku and Gloria Agbo all called for community-citizen engagement and a proposal for a bill for a law by the State House of Assembly that will address menstrual issues.
They further suggested adequate training for Health Care providers on matters related to menstrual dignity.
In a remark, the Executive Director, First Step Action for Children Initiative, Mrs Rosemary Hua called on participants to strive towards developing a standard operational procedure and policies that would prioritize menstrual dignity.
She equally appealed for team work among stakeholders to break the silence, reduce stigma and create enabling environment that would uphold the dignity and rights of all those who are menstruating.
