By Hassan Ibrahim
The Population Services International (PSI-Nigeria) has trained journalists and social media influencers to trigger public awareness and behavioural change on Menstrual Hygiene Management in Bauchi State.
Speaking during the 2-day training Thursday in Bauchi, Program Officer of PSI, Gloria Obed, said that the main objective of the Menstrual Hygiene Health (MHH) project is create awareness and access to menstrual products and how to manage your menstruation for girls and women in the society.
"In Bauchi State we have trained community champions, these are our stakeholders in communities to educate and talk about access and awareness of menstruation and awareness on how to manage menstruation. We also trained PHC workers at various primary healthcare centers to manage menstrual problems. We have the school menstrual champions, who are teachers in schools that will teach and trained girls on how to use menstrual products, dispose properly and refer them if necessary," she said.
Obed said the training was designed to build the capacity of the participants with the comprehensive knowledge, technical skills and resources on menstrual health management to effectively educate and support adolescent girls and women.
Obed explained that the exercise would empower them as menstrual hygiene champions through crafting messages and contents that will encourage open discussions around management of menstrual hygiene.
On her part, a resource person who doubles as Gender Desk officer in the Bauchi State Ministry of Health Zuwaira Baba explained that the training will expose the participants with communication skills to facilitate open, respectful conversations about menstruation, break stigmas, address challenges and promote inclusivity.
Zuwaira explained that each community have its own peculiarity and concerns, adding, "We are training journalists to use their various media platforms to develop messages and contents to educate our adolescent boys, girls and women as well as the physically challenged to information on menstrual hygiene especially use of the products,how to dispose the product and how to take care of themselves alongside male support during these period.
Commenting on the challenges of the MHH project, Zuwaira noted that there are many myths, misconceptions and shame attached to issues of menstruation and menstrual hygiene, adding, "We want to dispel these myths and misconceptions. We believe the media have the power to change through right information to targeted audiences and we will achieve the desired objectives."
She added that the training will emphasize the importance of safeguarding principles to ensure the well-being and safety of girls and young women, fostering an environment of trust and protection.
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