A non-governmental organization (NGO), Pad A Queen Initiative (PAQi), along with four others, promoted menstrual hygiene management and ended negative socio-cultural perceptions of periods through purposeful collaboration.
They organized a walk for period-friendly toilets in Oyo State public schools, drawing attention to the importance of menstrual hygiene, especially among mothers and the female gender.
The walk, which began at the University of Ibadan entrance, had participants from the five NGOs. En route from UI Gate to Bodija and down to the Secretariat, participants educated a large number of people, especially women, about menstrual hygiene.
They emphasized how poor menstrual hygiene can lead to poor menstrual health and, consequently, dysfunctional reproductive health.
The five NGOs – Pad A Queen Initiative (PAQi), The EME Foundation, The Glea Network, The Great Impact Foundation (TGIF), and One Voice Initiative (OVI) – sensitized market women in Bodija and its environs about the importance of menstrual hygiene.
They introduced the concept of reusable sanitary pads as a sustainable solution to period poverty, affecting a larger population in the state. Reusable sanitary pads are washable, reusable for up to 24 months, and more budget-friendly than single-use disposable sanitary pads.
Typically, reusable pads are made from biodegradable materials, composed of layers of high-absorbent and breathable fabrics. Examples of reusable sanitary pads brands in Nigeria include Virtuous pads, Happy Periods pads, and Pad-Up Creations.
The EME Foundation, which championed the petition, submitted it to the office of the Honorable Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology.
They noted that students’ inability to access products and facilities to manage periods safely poses a significant impediment to girls’ educational participation in Oyo State.
The groups identified that 17.9% of girls in one school alone in Oyo absent themselves from school during their periods due to their inability to afford period products.
In their petition, the group unanimously called on the Oyo government to provide free period products in schools, ensure every school has toilet and hygiene management facilities that meet UN wash standards, prioritize positive menstrual health in schools, and organize training for teachers to support menstruating girls, particularly those impacted by painful menstruation.
