MWAN takes Menstrual Hygiene campaign to Home for the Needy

Medical Women Association of Nigeria, MWAN, Edo State Chapter recently marked this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day with a sensitization program at the Home for the Needy Foundation (also known as the Internally Displaced Persons Camp) in Uhogua, Ovia North-East Local Government Area.

The event had various activities including Health Talk and distribution of free sanitary towels to young girls at the Camp.

Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28th to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene, break the stigma around menstruation, and raise awareness about challenges regarding access to menstrual products.

Welcoming the team from MWAN and Loretta Health Initiative, Evelyn Omegieh, one of the care givers in the camp appreciated them for bringing such a laudable programme to the camp.

Evelyn Omegieh said she really appreciate them and pray that God will bless them and also want them to continue with the crusade because it is very good and encouraged them to visit villages, camps, especially those in rural areas.

In her response, President, MWAN, Edo State, Dr. Ehi Isa, said the programme became necessary to help combat various challenges surrounding menstrual health and hygiene facing young girls and women.

Dr. Ehi Isa further stated
that hygiene “is an essential part of a woman’s world and it helps women to be psychological and mentally fit. So we are talking to women that menstruation is a normal healthy company to life and that women should take care during menstrual flow.

“They should use hygiene materials. So we are giving out hygienic materials that the girls and women can use during their menstrual flow.”

Enlightening the young females on the menstrual cycle, Dr. Ehireme Okete, MWAN, Public Relations Officer, explained to the young girls that menstruation is a natural biological process in every women’s life.

Coordinator, Bold and Brave Women Foundation under Loretta Health Intiative, Gloria Sambo, said girls need to acquire more knowledge about their bodies, proper menstrual hygiene practices and sex education.

Many of the young females were happy and could not hide their feelings. This year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day is marked with the theme, ‘Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030’, which is targeted at vulnerable, indigent women and girls with the goal to make menstrual hygiene management a norm.