The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Oyo State, has organized a week-long activity to mark one year in office of the present exco with various programmes and to showcase its achievements.

The week-long activities afforded the Executive of MWAN led by DR Oyindamola Adeyemi to donate items to Oluyole Chesire Home, Ibadan and FOMWAN Orphanage Home, Basorun Ibadan, donation of books on Adolescent Health to some Secondary Schools in Oyo state in collaboration with the Oyo state Ministry of Education. 

The book titled What Adolescents Are Asking about Menstruation was written and published by MWAN OYO YDF (2019-2021 Biennium) in conjunction with the MWAN OYO Research team in November 2021.

The Executive also observed Jumat Service at University College Hospital, UCH Central Mosque, Ibadan and the thanksgiving service was held at RCCG Jesus Tower, Jericho, Ibadan.

Speaking to newsmen while distributing the books to some selected public schools in Oyo state, the President of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Oyo State, Dr Oyindamola Adeyemi, said young females need valid information and the right knowledge to understand the concept of menstruation.

Dr Adeyemi said the Association remained committed to the welfare of the girl child through advocacies and partnership with relevant stakeholders of the society.

The MWAN President noted that the book would empower young girls, parents and teachers with valid information about menstruation, sexual and reproductive health, which she said, had been well-researched by a team of experts.

She said that culturally, limited discussions on menstrual and sexual-related matters encourage widespread dissemination of false information.

According to her, this is worsened by our girls seeking answers to their concerns from their peers and social media where they also encounter false information.

Dr Adeyemi said that the wrong information made young females vulnerable to unscrupulous elements in society to prey on their innocence.

“Therefore, it is important that our young girls have access to valid information, which addresses their concerns and ensures that they are well equipped with the right knowledge they need to understand the concept of menstruation, feel comfortable with it, make the right decisions and ultimately safeguard their reproductive health”, she said.

Also, the State Commissioner for Education, Mr Rahman Abduraheem, represented by the Deputy Director of Schools in the ministry, Mrs Felicia Oyerinde, charged the girls with some valuable tips on maintaining hygiene.

Changing your pad every four hours, cleaning your reusable pads properly, keeping your vaginal area clean and wearing comfortable clean underwear, among many more hygienic ways, which can be cultivated by you all to ensure your wellbeing, he said.

Also, the Secretary to the Association, Dr Olubukola Salam, enjoined the government and other Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to help look into ways to subsidise the price of menstrual pads for the girl-child.

According to Salam, it would help boost their morale and limit the number of girls who would be absent in school during their menstrual periods.

In her goodwill message, the MWAN National President, represented by Dr Kemi Otolorin, urged the government to subsidise sanitary pads and provide good toilets and water in public schools.

While presenting some items to Oluyole Chesire Home, Ibadan and FOMWAN Orphanage Home, Basorun Ibadan, Dr Adeyemi explained that the gesture was part of the social responsibilities of the Association to the society and promised that the Association would not relent in its efforts at assisting the less-previledges in the society.

The representatives of the two homes expressed gratitude to the Association for identifying with them and promised judicious utilization of donated items.

On violence against women, Dr Adeyemi pointed out that the Association is collaborating with other stakeholders to address the menace and encouraged Nigerians to join hands in order to eliminate violence against women and girls in the country.

The MWAN President said governments at all levels need to accommodate women so as to record developmental progress.

“This year’s campaign, Unite! Activism to End Violence against Women and Girls is aimed at mobilising society to become activists for the prevention of violence against women, and to stand in solidarity with women’s rights”, she said.

Nafiu Busari

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