The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has urged girls, parents and the public to see menstruation as a normal biological process for girls which should be embraced with dignity, and nothing to be ashamed of.
Speaking at a sensitization session organized by UNICEF at the Government Girls’ Secondary School Lambu in Tofa LGA of Kano state to commemorate the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day, Stella Okafor-Terver, WASH Officer at UNICEF Kano Field Office, urged that the students’ attitude to the onset of menstruation in their lives should be one of pride.
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“The beginning of menstruation in the life of an adolescent girl is a time to be proud of, not one to loathe.
Menstruation is not a disease. In fact, it is something to be celebrated because it shows that the girl is healthy,” said Okafor-Terver.
“You should only be concerned when you have attained the age of menstruation and have not seen your period. In such a situation, I would advise you inform your parents or caregiver who will take the appropriate action,” the UNICEF WASH Officer further counselled the students.
Okafor-Terver urged the government, parents, community and religious leaders, as well as boys, men, and the public, to support girls during menstruation.
She emphasized the importance of ending stigma and taboos, ensuring access to menstrual products, and creating period-friendly infrastructure. Menstruation should not impede anyone’s access to education, healthcare, or opportunities, she further stressed.
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Speaking at the event, Muhammed Bashir Wambai, Dagachin Lambu, Tofa LGA, affirmed that in Islam, girls, women and men are taught about menstruation. The traditional leader noted that in his community, he ensures that girls are supported and not stigmatized because of menstruation.
The Principal of Government Girls’ Secondary School Lambu, Hajiya Sadiya Ahmad in her speech on the occasion, said the school’s management supports menstruating students by providing free menstrual pads which are available on demand while the students are at school.
“We always keep in our store at least 100 packs of menstrual pads. We encourage our students to request for these and teach them how to practice hygiene when they are having their period,” Hajiya Ahmad stated.
The theme for the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day is, “Together for a Period Friendly World’.