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Junior Graphic, JI begin campaign to collect sanitary pads for adolescent girls

Junior Graphic, JI begin campaign to collect sanitary pads for adolescent girls

Junior Graphic and J Initiative (JI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), have begun a seven-day campaign to collect sanitary pads for distribution to adolescent girls in deprived areas in the country as part of activities to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day which falls on May 28.

The initiative is also to educate young girls on menstruation to ensure that the girls have an active lifestyle and enjoy a stress-free life when they are in their periods.

A statement released by JI said the beneficiary group comprises girls who cannot afford pads during menstruation and as a result skip school.

It said the seven-day collection campaign is part of the ‘Happy School Girl’ project which seeks to make the school environment comfortable and enjoyable for girls in school.

Interventions

The statement further noted that “although there have been some interventions in menstrual hygiene; they have not been able to address the core issues of affordability, which is an important aspect of maintaining menstrual hygiene.”

One in every 10 girls in Africa, it said, miss school when they have their periods and girls in rural parts of the country often stay away from school for three days every month when they have their periods.

“Girls need to be provided with knowledge and materials so that they will be able to have a normal daily routine and effectively participate in learning activities without being disrupted by the issues of menstruation,” it said.

The statement also said since girls would have periods every month until they reached menopause, it was essential for them to be provided with the tools to ensure menstrual hygiene during menstruation.

On this year’s World Menstrual Day, the statement said there would be schools and communities outreach programmes in six regions of the country, as well as the distribution of materials on menstrual hygiene, among other activities.

Girls support

The highlights of the celebration, the statement noted, would include educating boys and men to dispel myths, stigmas and negative perceptions about menstruation in order to create a supportive environment for girls and women during those times.

“Supporting other women and girls with information on good menstrual hygiene practices is important for  preparing younger pre-adolescent girls for menstruation and breaking the silence confronting dangerous myths, taboos, practices and challenging negative perceptions,” it added.

The theme for this year’s celebration is: “From Powerless to Empowerment. Education about menstruation changes everything.”

 

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