DeCODE Strives Towards Menstrual Health Policy In Anambra


DeCODE Strives Towards Menstrual Health Policy in Anambra

From Seun Miracle 


The Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) is working to ensure the adoption of a menstrual health and hygiene management policy in Anambra State.

The organization disclosed this 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.

Implemented with funding support from Rise Up Together, the ME4Girls Project is championing the adoption and phased implementation of the National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policy in Anambra State to ensure that menstruation no longer constitutes a barrier to girls' education.

Receiving the advocacy team on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, the Permanent Secretary commended DeCODE for bringing the issue to the forefront of policy discussions and pledged the ministry's support for the initiative.

"We welcome this initiative because it is in the interest of our female children in secondary schools.

"I also welcome the idea of having a state policy since there is already a policy at the federal level. With your detailed advocacy brief, I will get back to the Commissioner to determine how we can give our support.

"But be assured that we appreciate this initiative as it will help to ease the challenges associated with menstruation for our secondary school children." Dr Agbaizu said.

Earlier, Project Lead of the ME4Girls Project, Mrs. Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze, said the advocacy builds on DeCODE's more than eight years of work promoting menstrual health education and support for girls in schools and communities across Anambra State.

She explained that the organisation's long-standing engagement with adolescent girls has revealed persistent challenges, including inadequate menstrual health information, poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, limited access to menstrual products and widespread stigma surrounding menstruation.

According to her, these challenges continue to affect girls' school attendance, participation in classroom activities and overall learning experience, reinforcing DeCODE's conviction that no girl should have to choose between managing her menstrual period and pursuing her education.

Enweonwu-Arinze noted that through the ME4Girls Project, DeCODE is moving beyond awareness campaigns to pursue sustainable policy reforms capable of institutionalising menstrual health management within the state's education system.

She disclosed that the organisation is currently conducting a menstrual health situation assessment in 12 public secondary schools across six local government areas to generate evidence that will guide policy development and practical interventions.

She added that DeCODE is also engaging key government institutions through Key Informant Interviews and stakeholder consultations to identify existing initiatives, understand policy gaps and develop recommendations that reflect the realities of schools in Anambra State.

According to her, the Ministry of Education is a critical stakeholder because public secondary schools are the primary focus of the project and the ministry will play a leading role in implementing any policy adopted by the state government.

Enweonwu-Arinze further explained that the project is advocating for the state's adoption of the National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policy and the development of an implementation framework involving the Ministries of Education, Health and Women Affairs.

As part of its broader strategy, she said DeCODE is facilitating the establishment of the Anambra Menstrual Health Advocacy Coalition to bring together government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and community groups to drive coordinated action on menstrual health and hygiene.

She expressed confidence that evidence generated from the school assessment and stakeholder engagements would strengthen advocacy for policies that improve girls' health, dignity and educational opportunities while reducing school absenteeism linked to poor menstrual health management.

The Ministry of Education's commitment to consider the proposal is expected to strengthen DeCODE's ongoing engagement with government and other stakeholders as the organisation continues to advocate for a school environment where every girl can manage menstruation safely, confidently and without interruption to her education.

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