In a bid to promote menstrual hygiene and empower young girls to stay in school, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Sokoto State Government, has donated menstrual hygiene kits to female students at Government Day Arabic Secondary School, Sabon Birni.
The donation marks part of the activities commemorating World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Speaking at the event on Friday, Mr. Derek Hyu Kim, UNICEF’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist at the Sokoto Field Office, highlighted the global importance of Menstrual Hygiene Day.
He described it as an annual campaign aimed at fostering a “Period Friendly World” — a world where menstruation is acknowledged as a natural biological process, free from stigma and discrimination.
Mr. Kim stressed that UNICEF is working closely with government bodies and civil society organizations to challenge the harmful myths and stereotypes that surround menstruation.
UNICEF urges improved access to menstrual hygiene for girls
These misconceptions, he explained, have serious implications for the safety, dignity, education, and future opportunities of women and girls.
“Menstrual stigma has forced many girls into silence, often leading to missed school days and, in some cases, complete withdrawal from education,” Mr. Kim noted.
“To build a period-friendly world, we must break these taboos and ensure girls have access to the knowledge, resources, and support they need.”
He outlined five key pillars essential to achieving this vision: a supportive social environment, affordable menstrual hygiene products, menstruation-friendly school infrastructure, inclusive education on menstrual health, and access to healthcare for menstrual-related disorders.
“UNICEF’s goal is to make menstruation globally accepted as a normal part of life, not something to be ashamed of,” Mr. Kim added.
“This includes ensuring access to affordable hygiene products and safe, private toilets in schools, so girls can manage their periods with dignity.”
He further explained that UNICEF’s WASH program is working to install menstrual-friendly facilities in schools across Sokoto State.
This initiative aims to reduce absenteeism and improve academic performance by allowing girls to continue their education uninterrupted.
Hon. Mohammed Bala, Executive Secretary of the Sokoto State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), also spoke at the event.
He lauded the partnership between the state government and UNICEF as a model for meaningful development.
“This donation goes beyond just hygiene kits — it’s about restoring dignity and building confidence in our girls,” Hon. Bala said.
“We are committed to ensuring that menstruation is no longer a barrier to education in Sokoto.”
He revealed that Government Day Arabic Secondary School in Sabon Birni was selected as the pilot school for the initiative, with plans to expand to other schools across the state.
According to him, this program is especially critical for conservative communities where menstrual health is often a taboo subject.
“We believe this will ignite broader societal change,” he stated.
The project is expected to significantly boost school enrollment and retention among adolescent girls in Sokoto, many of whom have struggled to manage their periods at school.
With ongoing support from UNICEF and its partners, Sokoto State is taking bold steps to create a safe, inclusive, and hygienic learning environment for all girls—no matter their biological cycles.
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