The Health Aid for All Initiative (HAFAI), an NGO, has called on Principals and Teachers of Secondary Schools to champion the campaign against menstrual stigma and discrimination in the country.
The Country Director of the NGO, Dr Ugochi Ohajuruka, made the call in an Interview with our correspondent in Abuja.
Ohajuruka said that it was imperative for principals and teachers who are the custodians of students to lead the campaign for the elimination of menstrual stigma in the society.
She said that the issue of menstrual stigma was a violation of human rights, because it was inflicting on the dignity of women and girls as well as violating their rights to non-discrimination.
She added that menstrual stigma and discrimination was a violation of women rights to body integrity, privacy and their freedom from inhuman and degrading treatment.
The country director stressed the need for management of schools to educate the girl child on how to take care of themselves during menstruation by organising health talks in schools.
“ This will encourage girls to feel free to discuss their Reproductive Health issues with their parents and guardians, “ she said.
Ohajuruka said that investigation conducted by HAFAI revealed that the girls were facing stigma and discrimination in relation to their menstrual health in some rural communities in the country.
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