The Federation of Muslim Women Association in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Bauchi State chapter, has introduced pad banks in schools to promote the girl child’s inclusion in academic activities during menstrual cycle.
The gesture was to mark the 2022 International Day of the Girl Child (IDG) on Tuesday.
The IDG is marked annually on October 11, and the 2022 celebration commemorates its 10th anniversary.
Members of FOMWAN also sensitised the students on menstrual health, bullying, among others.
Unveiling the pad banks, the Chairperson of FOMWAN’s Health Committee in Bauchi, Mrs Fatsuma Mohammed, said the facilities would be domiciled and sustained in the schools’ clinics and sick bays.
She said the pad banks would ensure that girls remained in school during their monthly cycle thereby having equal opportunity to learn.
She further said, “FOMWAN has two schools in the metropolis; hence the banks will be inaugurated simultaneously.
“Girls are not comfortable in school during their menstrual cycle; FOMWAN established these banks to ensure that during this period they attend classes and access the sanitary pads while in school.”
In her keynote address, Hajiya Habiba Sa’ad, chairperson of the association in the state, said FOMWAN would champion the girl child’s celebration because Islam had honour for her.
She said, “We should be at the forefront of celebrating girls because Islam has honour for the girl child and offers Janna to anyone who trains two girls to maturity.”
Speaking on behalf of the students, Ms Fatima Musa appreciated FOMWAN for such a giant stride to ensure that girls remained in school. (NAN)
