PSI Launches Menstrual Hygiene MH-NOW Project in Kano
By Hannatu Sulaiman Abba
The Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria has launched its Menstrual Health (MH-NOW) project in Kano State to address the challenges faced by adolescent girls and young women during their menstrual periods.
The Senior Program Manager and Team Lead on Menstrual Health at PSI Nigeria, Dr. Abdulhamid Adediran, made this known during a media engagement session held in Kano.
Dr. Abdulhamid stated that the MH-NOW project aims to enhance awareness and understanding of menstrual health by effectively disseminating information to the target audience adolescent girls and young women aged 10-24 leveraging the influence of the media.
According to research data, three out of ten girls miss school during their menstrual periods, putting them at a disadvantage compared to their male counterparts. This, he noted, negatively impacts their education and overall development.
To amplify awareness of menstrual hygiene, PSI has also launched a music video titled “TIME OF THE MONTH”, featuring both Nollywood and Kannywood actors and actresses as part of a large-scale advocacy campaign aimed at addressing the socio-cultural challenges surrounding menstruation.
Furthermore, Kano is among six states selected for the implementation of the MH-NOW project, with a primary focus on eradicating period poverty, promoting menstrual health, tackling stigma, and addressing other related challenges.
PSI acknowledged the crucial role played by the media in Kano in spreading awareness about menstrual hygiene, with a particular emphasis on the use of reusable sanitary pads and proper hygiene practices within the framework of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) for a healthier and more sustainable environment, Dr. Abdulhamid added.
Finally, PSI urged media professionals to amplify the project’s message to reach the target audience, emphasizing that many adolescent girls and young women urgently need accurate menstrual hygiene information to prevent diseases and dispel myths surrounding menstruation in Kano State.
