The Zamfara state First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bello Matawalle has organized an awareness creation exercise for young female students at the Government Girls Day Secondary School, Samaru, Gusau to celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2021.
The Menstrual Hygiene Day was initiated by the German non-profit WASH United in 2013 to engage decision makers and individuals on a campaign to break the silence, raise awareness and change negative social norms around Menstrual Health and Hygiene, at a global level.
In her remarks at the event, Hajiya Aisha Bello Matawalle who was represented by the Special Adviser office of the First Lady Hajiya Fatima Musa said the exercise is part of the First Lady’s commitments to supporting girls with knowledge of menstrual hygiene as well as ensure that they live in a world in which every woman and girl is empowered to manage her menstruation safely.
In a statement by the Press Secretary to the First Lady of Zamfara Zainab shuaibu Abdullahi said, this year’s theme which is focused on “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health seeks to educate girls in understanding their menstrual cycle, while also highlighting solutions that address challenges most of the girls and women worldwide faces due to menstruation.
The First lady urged everyone to come together and put a stop to persisting taboos and stigma, which undermines the educational opportunities, health and overall social status of women and girls around their immediate environment.
In a public lectures delivered at the event, Matron Larai Ka’oje enlightened the students on proper hygienic menstrual management in order to avoid infections that may lead to serious health complications in their reproductive system.
According to her, maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is vital to the health status and productivity of women and girls while also practicing the COVID-19 stay safe measures.
During the closing remarks, the principal of GGDSS samaru, Hajiya Kulu Shehu thanked the first lady for the gesture aimed which she said aimed at supporting the girls with sanitary pads and health talks to help them observed their menstrual period conveniently.
The sanitary pads and the 28 days White and Red bracelets which symbolizes the total menstrual cycle was received from the First Lady, Haj Aisha Matawalle and worn by the female students and teachers with excitement.
The day was commemorated by the First lady in collaboration with Procter and Gamble through the Nigeria Governors wives Forum, in which her Excellency is an active member.