The Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) has intensified efforts to promote the adoption of a Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policy in Anambra State as part of measures to improve girls’ education and well-being.
The organisation made this known during an advocacy visit by its Menstrual Ease for Girls (ME4Girls) Project team to the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Education, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, in Awka.
The ME4Girls Project, funded by Rise Up Together, seeks to facilitate the adoption and phased implementation of the National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policy in Anambra State to ensure that menstruation does not hinder girls’ access to education.
Receiving the advocacy team on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, the Permanent Secretary commended DeCODE for championing the initiative and pledged the ministry’s support towards achieving its objectives.
Earlier, the Project Lead, Mrs. Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze, said the advocacy builds on more than eight years of the organisation’s work in promoting menstrual health education and support for adolescent girls in schools and communities across the state.
She explained that the organisation’s engagement with young girls has identified major challenges, including inadequate menstrual health education, poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, limited access to menstrual products and persistent social stigma associated with menstruation.
According to her, these challenges continue to affect girls’ school attendance, classroom participation and overall academic performance.
Mrs. Enweonwu-Arinze said the ME4Girls Project is focused on driving sustainable policy reforms that will institutionalise menstrual health management within the state’s education system.
She disclosed that DeCODE is currently conducting a menstrual health assessment in 12 public secondary schools across six local government areas to generate evidence that will inform policy development and practical interventions.
She noted that the Ministry of Education remains a key stakeholder in the initiative, as public secondary schools are the primary focus of the project and the ministry will play a central role in implementing any policy adopted by the state government.
The organisation is also advocating collaboration among the Ministries of Education, Health and Women Affairs to develop a comprehensive implementation framework for the National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policy in Anambra State.
