Borno Receives 1,500 Menstrual Hygiene Kits from NGO

The Borno State Government has received 1,500 Menstrual Hygiene Management kits from Save the Children to support girls’ education by addressing menstrual hygiene challenges and reducing absenteeism among crisis-affected students.

The Borno State Government has received 1,500 Menstrual Hygiene Management (Dignity) kits aimed at addressing the educational challenges faced by girls due to economic hardships affecting families across the country.

Lawan Wakilbe, the Commissioner for Education, Science, Innovations, and Technology, announced this during a meeting with a delegation from Save the Children, led by Daniel Rotgakka, Education Project Coordinator for the “Education Cannot Wait” initiative, in Maiduguri.

Wakilbe highlighted the state’s progress in combating the issue of out-of-school children but noted that the lack of dignity kits for girls remains a significant barrier. He emphasized that his priority for the current school session would be on retention, specifically keeping girls in school, and urged partners to support the program.

“I have appealed to our state’s First Lady to advocate for the dignity of girls because, as a father and education administrator, I find the situation alarming due to high poverty levels. Adolescent girls, who are particularly sensitive, must be provided with basic hygiene items, as many cannot afford them, which is a dangerous situation,” Wakilbe said.

Chachu Tadicha, Deputy Director of Programme Operations at Save the Children International (SCI), explained that, with funding from “Education Cannot Wait,” SCI is implementing a three-year Multi-Year Resilience Project in Borno State. The project aims to increase access to quality and inclusive basic education for crisis-affected girls and boys in safe learning environments in North-East Nigeria.

Tadicha reiterated that the organization’s goal is to ensure every child has the right to survival, protection, development, and participation.

“We collaborate with MDAs, CSOs, and tertiary institutions in project locations to achieve these goals by boosting enrolment, attendance, and retention of crisis-affected children, especially girls, in gender-responsive and safe schools. We are committed to supporting the education sector in Borno by donating 1,500 dignity kits to help adolescent learners who face difficulties accessing these essential items, which can lead to school absenteeism and poor menstrual hygiene practices.

“As advocates for quality and holistic education, we believe that everyone deserves access to learning opportunities that can shape their future,” he added.

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SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, BUSINESS DAY