Bauchi stakeholders at the meeting.
‘Some of our girls miss school because they are in their menstrual period, and some do not go to school because their parents do not have money to buy the products’
By Ahmed Ahmed
Parents and other stakeholders in Bauchi State have urged the state government to establish sanitary pad banks in all the female schools to end period shaming and stigma on menstruation in schools.
The stakeholders also include government officials, civil society organizations (CSOs), students, traditional and religious leaders, People With Disability (PWDs), media among others.
Their plea is contained in a communique issued and signed by Grace Maikudi from the CSOs at the end of a meeting with 15 girls and made available to newsmen in Bauchi.
The meeting was organised by Attah Sisters Helping Hands (ASHH) to commemorate international day of girl-child with the theme, “Our time is now our rights, our future”.
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It explained that the establishment of pads bank would ensure continuous availability of pads in facilities for girls in school and out of school during emergency situations.
“The sanitary pad bank would ensure the availability of sanitary pads for women and girls.
“Some of our girls miss school because they are in their menstrual period, and some do not go to school because their parents do not have money to buy the products,” it said.
The statement urged parents and guardians to report acts of sexual and gender based violence to the appropriate authorities.
“Lack of reporting is one of the main challenges of addressing sexual and gender-based violence in the state.
“We are having challenges with parents and guardians in terms of reporting because most still have the idea of keeping quiet when it comes to sexual gender-based violence issues,” it said.
The Communique however called for the provision of Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools.
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