As part of activities marking the 2023 World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Non Governmental Organization, Restoration of the Dignity of Womanhood {ROTDOW} on Friday 2nd June, 2023 took menstrual hygiene campaign to Dunamis College, Akure where the student were addressed on the meaning of menstruation, essence of maintaining hygienic state, the symptoms menstruation and how to track menstrual circle using Instructional materials.
Speaking on this year’s theme ‘Making Menstruation a normal facts of Life by 2023’ the CEO ROTDOW, Mrs Olabisi Omolona who was represented by Mrs Adedoyin Patrick said Menstrual Hygiene Day was set aside as a platform to bring together individuals, Organization and the media to create a united and strong voice for Women and Girls.
Mrs. Omolona who said poor menstrual health undermines fundamental rights including the right to work and go to school, also restated that stigmatization of any form does not in any way improve the state of being of women and girls.
While explaining the meaning of Menstruation as a normal biological process which occurs monthly in all adult females, she stressed the need to practice menstrual hygiene so as to prevent infection and stay comfortable during the period.
Some of the common early signs of menstruation she identified include mood changes, trouble in sleeping, headache, food craving, bloating, breast tenderness and acne just as she explained to the students the simple way to track their menstrual cycle as well as the different menstrual hygiene tips such as the need to regularly change sanitary pads, use of cotton sanitary pads, keeping the vaginal area clean at all time, wearing of comfortable and clean under wear, cleaning of the vagina area with water only, discarding used sanitary products properly among others.
Other major highlight of the event include sharing of first menstrual experience by the ROTDOW team, students and their teachers.
She also used the occasion to thank the founder of the school who was in attendance, Pastor Mrs. Stella Paseda for giving her team the opportunity to reach out to the students.
The climax however is the distribution of sanitary pads to the students by the ROTDOW team.
Some of the students who spoke expressed gratitude to the NGO for bringing succour to them saying it will go a long way in bringing relieve to their parents financial burden on sanitary pads.
In attendance also include ROTDOW M&E Officer, Mrs Tosin Gbadamosi, one of the facilitators.
