As Nigerian women joined their counterparts worldwide to mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), a Lagos-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), JTF Foundation, said that by the end of 2030, menstruation would be a normal fact as it is a part of the life of a woman right from a tender age as a girl.
This, the NGO said, should be a focal point of discussion and awareness of the safety of girls, children, and women during their menstrual period.
The sensitization and awareness, as an initiative of JTF in relation to human health and safety during the period of menstruation, engaged the pupils of primary six and secondary school students of Early Breed International School, Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, to commemorate 2024 IWD.
JTF volunteer and teacher, Mrs. Josephine Bramah, noted that it was important for the young girls to understand the importance of full mastery of this phenomenon in the life of every woman within the period of 28 to 35 days, preparing them to build courage and not see it as ridicule or embarrassment when it comes, and knowing the health risk associated with the menstrual flow if it is not carefully handled with proper hygiene.
Speaking at the forum on the topic “Menstrual Health and Hygiene,” the guest lecturer, Mrs Esther Oshiogheme Momoh, who is a matron from Auchi Polytechnic Cottage Hospital, explained that it was very crucial for every girl to be conscious of her periodic menstruation to prevent health implications that might come as a result of poor hygienic practice during menstruation.
This was just as she said that fungal infection is the most common infection related to women, and its symptoms include “vaginal itching, burning sensations, irritation, white discharge, and sometimes inflammation.”
“Urinary tract infection (UTI) can be difficult for women, especially pregnant mothers. A UTI happens when there’s a bacterial infection in the bladder, a burning sensation when one urinates, or a urinary emergency where people feel the need to rush to the washroom.
“Bacterial infection is a type of menstrual infection also called bacterial vaginosis. It usually comes as a result of poor menstrual hygiene.
“Yeast infection strikes almost every woman at least once in their lifetime. It is a fungal disease caused by Candida albicans. The vagina has its own biome with good bacteria to maintain balance.
“So when you are low on immunity, fungus strikes and outgrows the rest of the organisms, leading to an infection.” She posited.
Mrs. Momoh, however, charged the female students to be conscious and maintain menstrual practices to secure their future.
On her part, Miss Jesutofunmi Fayemi said it had become the responsibility of stakeholders, especially parents and school administrators, to make available clean portable water in their schools at all times to enhance proper hygiene for the young girls and ladies during their menstrual cycle.
While distributing sanitary pads to over 200 female students at the forum, she also warned them to ensure that a clean sanitary pad will go a long way towards preventing any disease related to menstruation.
