Health initiatives empower 30 college girls through menstrual health education
The Doctor’s Health Initiative (DHI) and African Menstrual Health Initiative (AMI) recently organised a groundbreaking four-day workshop on menstrual science and hygiene at Wavecrest College of Hospitality in Surulere, Lagos. The workshop, held in collaboration with the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA), marked a significant milestone in promoting menstrual health awareness among young girls.
Thirty girls, aged 17-30, benefited from the workshop, gaining knowledge on menstrual anatomy, hormones, and hygiene. The students were taught by Olutobi Oridota, a rising fourth-year medical student at City University of New York, School of Medicine, and Ogechukwu Ogbogu, a pre-med and master’s student at University College London.
The workshop covered various topics, including menstrual cycles, menses phases, period tracking, and complications such as fibroids, endometriosis, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. The girls also learned about menstrual hygiene, including the use, cleaning, and disposal of different menstrual products.
One of the highlights of the workshop was the reusable pad training program, where students learned to sew reusable pads using locally sourced materials. With the support of the NGO Fihri, each girl received a menstrual kit with a two-month supply of menstrual pads.
The workshop concluded with group presentations on topics such as menstrual hygiene in education and advocating for menstrual health in schools. AMI also launched its laptop sponsorship program, surprising 15 students with laptops, with more to follow as fundraising continues.
AMI’s initiative aims to empower young African girls with knowledge of their menstruation, enhancing their education and well-being. The organization is grateful to Dr. Cliff Eke, ANPA president, for the opportunity to collaborate on this project.
This workshop is a testament to the power of collaboration and education in promoting menstrual health awareness and empowering young girls.
