Menstrual Hygiene: Bauchi NGO Empowers 1000 School Girls, Enrolls 14

From Paul Orude Bauchi

A Bauchi State based Non-Governmental Organisation, Nurture and Empower Her Initiative, has launched the ‘Every Girl Deserves a Chance’ project to support vulnerable girls.

Florence Uzoanya, Executive Director of Nurture and Empower Her Initiative, said the project was part of efforts to commemorate the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.

Uzoanya explained that the project aimed to empower girls who lack access to education due to financial constraints.

Nurture & Empower Her Initiative Reaches Over 1,000 Bauchi School Girls on Menstrual hygiene

She disclosed that 14 vulnerable girls who had dropped out of school were identified and re-enrolled.

She said the beneficiaries received a comprehensive support, including tuition fees, uniforms, books, sandals, and other essential items.

“This initiative also serves as a call to action for girls already in school to take their education seriously as the enrolled girls, who had previously been unable to attend school due to financial difficulties, now serve as examples of the importance of education,” she stated.

According to her, the organisation reached over 1,000 girls across four government schools – Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Bayara; Garba Noma Junior Secondary School Railway; Government Girls College, Junior Secondary School Gudum Sayawa.

She said the NGO has sensitised beneficiaries on menstrual health and hygiene, cancer awareness (breast health), body autonomy and safety, confidence and self-esteem building, menstrual tracking using My Period Diary, courtesy of She’s the First organization, New York.

“The My Period Diary initiative, made possible through She’s the First, equips girls with essential skills to track their menstrual cycles, promoting healthy habits and self-awareness,” Uzoanya said further.

Nurture & Empower Her Initiative Encourages Girls Education – Founder Florence Uzoanya

“Additionally, the girls learned to make the Menstruation Bracelet, a global symbol promoting a period-friendly world, acquiring economic skills to support themselves”

The Executive Director urged meaningful Nigerians, the government, and parents to support girls’ education, emphasizing infrastructure development, gender-friendly facilities, and an enabling environment.

The organization expresses gratitude to Dr. Elisha Bello, Executive Director (Bincike International), Rev. Father Robert Psinon, Executive Director (SELL Foundation), The Commissioner Ministry of Education, Dr. Jamila Mohammed Dahiru, SUBEB’s Executive Chairman, school principals, and community leaders.

“By empowering girls through education and promoting a period-friendly culture, we shape a brighter future for Bauchi’s next generation,” Uzoanya concluded.

Oche Emmanuel, the Operational Manager of the organisation said they were in Bayara School to sensitise the students on body awareness.

“From the various schools we have visited so far, we have been able to reach out to 14 girls who are vulnerable and have been enrolled in schools,” he said.

“Our dream is for them to get into higher institutions because we are encouraging girls Education, we believe in Inclusive world.”

Samuel Christiana, a Volunteer, said the beneficiaries were taught how to track their menstrual circles as well as how to maintain personal health and hygiene including their mental health issues.

Tabitha Ali, Health Mistress of Government Day Secondary School Bayara commended the NGO for choosing the school for this programme saying it is timely.

“I promise that I will pick up from where the NGO will stop in order to ensure that the girls practiced everything they were taught, stressing that the school will provide a safe space for the girls,” she assured.

Danladi Z Sarki, Secretary, Nazareth Community, said also commended Nurture and Empower Her Initiative for the initiative which has seen six girls from the community re-enrolled back to school, saying “it is a thing of joy.”