By Chinedum Treasure
Key stakeholders in Anambra State have agreed to support the adoption and domestication of Nigeria’s National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) Policy to improve the health, dignity and educational opportunities of adolescent girls.
The resolution was reached at a stakeholders’ workshop organised by the Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) under its Menstrual Ease for Girls (ME4Girls) Project, with support from Rise Up Together.
The workshop brought together representatives of the Ministries of Education, Health, and Women Affairs and Social Welfare, the Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), development partners, civil society organisations, professional bodies, academic institutions, youth groups and the media.
Participants reviewed findings from the ME4Girls Situation Assessment and discussed strategies for implementing the national menstrual health policy in Anambra.
A major outcome of the meeting was the establishment of the Anambra Menstrual Health Advocacy Coalition, a multi-stakeholder platform to coordinate policy advocacy, public awareness and implementation efforts across the state.
Participants urged the Anambra State Government to develop an implementation framework for public secondary schools, including menstrual health education, improved water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, and support systems to prevent girls from missing school during menstruation.
They also called for evidence-based planning, regular monitoring, accountability and sustained mobilisation of resources from government agencies, development partners, NGOs, communities and the private sector.
Stakeholders further pledged to champion menstrual health awareness within their respective organisations and work collectively to end the stigma surrounding menstruation.
The coalition’s immediate priorities include finalising the workshop report and communiqué, commencing its advocacy roadmap and engaging key government decision-makers on the proposed implementation framework.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that no girl in Anambra is denied education, dignity or equal participation because of menstruation.
Tags: #MenstrualHealth #Anambra #GirlsEducation #DeCODE
