In her address, Nurse Maseray Kanneh from Connaught Hospital informed her audience that menstruation is blood coming out of a woman which the body rejects, noting that young girls and women who have sexual intercourse during menstruation risk getting pregnant.

 “Parents should not hide the facts of menstruation from their children,” Kanneh said and disclosed that, the awareness-raising is also supported by National Aids Secretariat and Happy Kids for girls to know how to protect themselves during menstruation.

Menstrual Health management according to Kanneh is an opportunity to raise awareness for the ongoing need to improve the education of children living across Africa especially the girl child on the need to improve on their health issues and take care of themselves.

Project Officer NETHIPS Ahmadu Lebbie said they have been involved in advocacy for the past ten years by ensuring awareness-raising to girls for their health and menstrual hygiene and how they can meet their full potential.

According to Lebbie they are committed to addressing the social beliefs and stigmas surrounding menstruation together with local governments and schools and that in the process they have engaged teachers and pupils on menstrual hygiene management.

“We will distribute menstrual hygiene materials in schools and teach girls how to manage their periods so they feel confident and stay in school,” Lebbie said.

Maintaining health and hygiene during menstruation according to Lebbie is important for women and girls’ health, well-being, mobility and dignity.