By Jibrin Hussaini Kundum, Bauchi
About 20 selected adolescent girls and women from Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State have been trained on the production, distribution, marketing, and sales of reusable sanitary pads.
The training exercise is part of the Menstrual Health Now (MH-NOW) Project, an ongoing programme of Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria aimed at improving the livelihoods of adolescent girls and women and promoting proper menstrual hygiene before, during, and after menstruation.
PSI Nigeria had earlier selected three local government areas in Bauchi State which include Bauchi, Misau, and Katagum respectively, for the implementation of the project.
Speaking during the training for producers and distributors in Bauchi LGA, Mrs. Plangnan Dashe of PSI Nigeria said the rationale behind the programme was to equip and empower women with effective menstrual hygiene management skills.
She noted that “Disposable sanitary pads have become increasingly expensive due to the current economic hardship, making them unaffordable for many women and girls” .
According to her, the production of reusable sanitary pads would help reduce costs and discourage the use of unsafe materials such as wrappers and pieces of cloth during menstruation.
Mrs. Plangnan Dashe added that “This initiative was designed to support women and adolescent girls to become more self-reliant and to expand their small-scale businesses”.
In her presentation on the production of reusable sanitary pads, Adah Samuel of the Nigeria Women Rights and Empowerment Network (NIWOREN) explained that the pads are locally produced using hygienic and safe materials.
She stated that reusable sanitary pads can last up to two years if properly washed and maintained with good hygiene practices.
Ms. Samuel Adah, commended PSI Nigeria and the Menstrual Health Now (MH-NOW) Project for initiating the programme, describing it as a significant step toward empowering women and adolescent girls in menstrual health and hygiene management.
The beneficiaries are encouraged to distribute and sell the reusable sanitary pads within their respective communities, particularly in rural areas.
They appreciated all stakeholders for the training, assuring to effectively use the knowledge and equally step it down to others in their communities.