CGEI COMMEMORATES “MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY 2025” IN 5 SCHOOLS IN DELTA STATE

to create awareness and sensitize the students on Menstrual Health with the 2025 theme which is “together in a PERIOD FRIENDLY WORLD

Background

In commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene day which is celebrated on the 28^th of May, CGEI (sponsored by CODAF) gave out menstrual products like bags of pad and pack of wipes five schools in three local government area of delta state, Nigeria, , to create awareness and sensitize the students on MH with the 2025 theme which is “together in a PERIODFRIENDLYWORLD” with hangtags; #Menstrualhygeineday, #periodEducation #Takeaction, #endperiodstigma.

 Venues:

·         Otu-jeremi Secondary School. Ugh, South LGA

·         Lulu Secondary School Ugh, North LGA

·         Odimodi Secondary Burutu, LGA

·         Kpakiama Secondary School Bomadi , LGA

·         Esanebe Secondary School Bomadi, LGA

Objectives:

·         To Raise Awareness, sensitize and educate the students on the importance of Menstrual Hygiene Day.

·         History of the MHD.

·         To discourage the negative social cultural beliefs and myths around menstruation.

·         To encourage healthy menstrual hygiene for all girlchild

·         To distribute menstrual products among students

 

 

Timeline of Events:

Ayo Okotie, led the Otu-jeremi secondary school with 77 students in attendance comprising from JSS2- SS2 all in menstruant age.  she shared with them the origin of Menstrual Hygiene Day and the change of theme every year with this year theme together for   “PERIODFRIENDLYWORLD” She also told them period is a normal thing and shouldn’t give in to stigma and negative social beliefs and myths and further highlights the importance of good hygiene and things girls can do during and after periods.

HIGHLIGHTS of the event was the question-and-answer session when a girl asked if used pads can be buried. Another asked why some girls experience weakness during periods.

The event came to close with distribution of menstrual pads to the students in attendance

 

Okeoghene, and her theme was at Lulu secondary school in Ughelli North. In attendance was 27 female students from junior and senior classes respectively. She told them menstruation is also known as period and that it is normal for a girl child to menstruate. She further tagged it as # BleedWITHdignty# that there’s no need to be ashamed of it. She also shared some health tips with them like washing of hands, changing of soaked pads thrice daily and the need to always have extra pads and pocket wipes when going out. She also gave a practical way of cleanup and proper discard of used pads without littering the environment. Sandra Opia, another team member of CGEI also educate them on the use of cotton pants during periods and also thought them ow to calculate their menstrual circle to avoid public embarrassment.

These Questions were asked by students

if menstrual cramps are normal and if its ok to take medication due to menstrual pain? Opia encourages exercise as a better option. The session came to an end with the sharing of menstrual products among the students. The session was informative and interactive because everyone was fully involved.

 

Mrs.Florence, led the Odimodi secondary school, in attendance was 50 female students. She shared the Origin and significance of MHD and reason why all girlchild of menstruant age should observe good menstrual hygiene so as to avoid health complications in the future. She discourages the use of cotton wool, tissue papers and unclean pieces during period. she further encouraged them to bathe frequently and change their pads at intervals of 3hrs-6hrs a day.

 

The CGEI team arrived Kpakiama secondary had a brief stop at the principal’s office before heading to the hall where the students where already seated and waiting.  The activity kicked off with Judith, introducing the World Menstrual Hygiene Day with the 2025 theme “Together for a PERIODFRIENDLYWORLD”. She said its normal to bleed every month with average duration of 5-7day and encouraged them to be confident of their period and never give in to negative social taboos, beliefs and myth and shun peers pressure and stigmatization from society. She emphasized on the need of all girl child to maintain a healthy menstrual hygiene routine during menstruation.

Some highlights from the activity

 Oyindoubra, CGEI member asked the students of their first experience of menstruation. A student came out and shared her experience how she was scared, confused, and cried her eyes out until her elder sister came to her aid. A student asked if it’s okay to have cramps and pains during and after menstruation. She also asks if their body gives any signs before menstruations, these are some of the responses the students gave. mood swing, itching of nipples, stomach ache, fullness of breast etc. she further encourages the girls to embrace their period and never to skip school during menstruation and also avoid self-medications. She encourages drinking of water, eating of fruits, doing exercises, during period and after period. The activity came to close with sharing of menstrual pads and wipes to active participants, girls on menstruation. We handover the extra bag of pad with the teacher in charge of the Creek girl Care Clinic (CGCC). In attendance was 55 students from JSS2-SS2, 50 Female and 5 males.

The team further went to Esanebe secondary schools with 75 students in attendance all female of menstruant age. Oyindoubra, stated the purpose of the visit. The students were enlightened on Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHD)its origin, significance and purpose and also educate them on the health benefits if they adhere good menstrual practices. We gave a practical example on how to wear their pads. She also shared with them that menses differs from person to person, some have heavy flow while others scanty but there’s no need for panic but if experience anything unusual, they should only go to the hospital and not a roadside chemist, She encouraged them to wear cotton pants during menses. She gave practical illustration on how to fixed their menstrual pad and the proper way to trash the used pads.

Highlights few concerns shared by students.

One asks if its normal to see menses as a first timer and it ceased, she said YES and also explained further that infection, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy can cause a scare too

 another asks if its ok to wash the virginal with soap during menstruation answer is No.

 

Outcome

-          build their self confidence and openness to discuss menstruation

-          Improved on their knowledge on menstruation and quality hygiene practices

-          Yet to menstruate students gets to know about it  

OBSERVATIONS

 The student had no knowledge of menstrual period.

No good washroom in kpakiama and Easenabe , Odimodi secondary schools respectively

 

CONCLUSION

The activity carried out on menstrual hygiene day in the various schools revealed that most female students are not aware of menstruation. It is therefore a need for early and accurate menstrual education in schools, communities and the home. With help of parents, health advocates, educators create a safe space for open discussions, age-appropriate information about menstruation that will help break the stigma, discourages negative social taboos, myths etc and ensure every girlchild blead with dignity, confidence and pride. CGEI distributed menstrual products for 257 students in attendance and we also recorded a first time menstruant in Esanebe secondary school, in her words auntie you came in the right time.