Musa Na Allah, Sokoto
To promote menstrual hygiene and support girls’ education, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government, has donated menstrual hygiene kits to female students of Government Day Arabic Secondary School, Sabon Birni, as part of activities marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Speaking during the event on Friday, Mr. Derek Hyu Kim, UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist at the Sokoto Field Office, provided insights into the global significance of Menstrual Hygiene Day.
He described it as an annual campaign aimed at creating a “Period Friendly World,” where menstruation is recognized and respected as a normal biological process.
According to Mr. Kim, UNICEF is partnering with government institutions and civil society organizations to combat the harmful myths and stereotypes associated with menstruation.
These misconceptions, he noted, have far reaching consequences on the safety, dignity, education, and economic opportunities available to women and girls.
“Menstrual stigma has silenced many girls, forcing them to miss school and sometimes drop out altogether.
“To achieve a truly period-friendly world, we must dismantle the taboos surrounding menstruation and ensure girls have access to the resources and support they need,” he explained.
He outlined five key pillars of a period-friendly society: a supportive social environment, access to menstrual hygiene products, menstrual-friendly school infrastructure, inclusive education on menstrual health, and access to healthcare for menstrual disorders.
“UNICEF wants menstruation to be globally accepted as a natural part of life, not a source of shame.
“Our goal is to make menstrual hygiene products affordable and available in schools, and to provide safe, dignified toilets where girls can manage their periods without fear or embarrassment,” Mr. Kim emphasized.
He added that the WASH program is working to establish menstrual friendly facilities across schools in Sokoto State, enabling girls to remain in school even during their periods, thereby reducing absenteeism and boosting academic performance.
The event also featured remarks from Hon. Mohammed Bala, Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), who praised the initiative as a model of effective collaboration between the state government and UNICEF.
He said, “This donation is not just about kits, it’s about restoring dignity and encouraging confidence in our young girls.
“We’re working hand in hand to ensure that no girl is left behind due to menstruation-related challenges.”
He further explained that Government Day Arabic Secondary School in Sabon Birni was chosen for the program’s launch to serve as a pilot for other schools across the state.
“This initiative is crucial for breaking the silence around menstrual health, especially in conservative communities.
“We hope this will trigger wider societal change,” Hon. Bala added.
The project, he said, is expected to contribute significantly to increasing female school enrollment and retention in Sokoto, especially among adolescent girls who previously struggled to manage menstruation at school.
With support from UNICEF and its partners, Sokoto State is taking a major step toward ensuring that all girls can learn and thrive in a safe, inclusive, and hygienic environmentregardless of their biological cycles.
