DeCODE Seeks Anambra Ministry's Support For Menstruation Policy

DeCODE Seeks Anambra Ministry’s Support for Menstruation Policy

The Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) has sought the support and cooperation of the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development for the development and adoption of a state policy on menstruation.

The organisation made the request during a meeting with the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Nkeiru Mokwe, as part of efforts to advance its Menstrual Ease for Girls (ME4Girls) Project.

The ME4Girls Project is being implemented by DeCODE with support from Rise Up Together.

Led by its Executive, Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze, the DeCODE team briefed the Permanent Secretary on the progress of the project and urged the ministry to lead the process of adopting the proposed state policy on menstruation.

Enweonwu-Arinze said the project began with a baseline assessment of menstrual hygiene management in Anambra State, after which DeCODE convened civil society organisations working on menstrual health to form the Anambra Menstrual Health Advocacy Coalition.

She said relevant government ministries, departments and agencies were also brought into the process because menstrual health involves multiple sectors.

“We are submitting to you the draft of the national policy and the draft that we have developed for the state for your valuable input,” she said.

Enweonwu-Arinze said the Ministry of Women Affairs should champion the adoption process, while DeCODE would provide support.

The consultant to DeCODE on the ME4Girls Project, Dr Rose Amasiani, also stressed the need for the ministry to take the lead and coordinate other relevant MDAs.

Amasiani said although menstrual health involves issues relating to health, water, sanitation and hygiene, the Ministry of Women Affairs should serve as the lead ministry responsible for coordinating the policy.

She said the draft policy was still being developed and required further input and validation.

Amasiani added that the initiative was also aimed at giving women and girls a voice and creating greater awareness about menstruation, particularly among those who may have limited knowledge of menstrual health and hygiene.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Mokwe, welcomed the initiative and assured the team of the ministry’s cooperation.

Mokwe said the welfare of women remained important, noting that women and girls needed to understand that being a woman was not a disadvantage.

“These are the values we need to inculcate in our girls, to realise that being a woman is not a disadvantage by any consideration,” she said.

The Permanent Secretary said she was hearing about the project for the first time, having only recently assumed her supervisory responsibilities at the ministry.

She, however, assured DeCODE that the ministry would take the necessary steps concerning the project.

“Whatever it is that Ministry of Women Affairs should do as it concerns this project, we will do it,” Mokwe said.

She requested adequate advance notice of activities requiring the ministry’s participation, so that it could mobilise the necessary support.

Mokwe said menstruation was an issue that affected women broadly, adding that even women who had gone through menopause could contribute through their experience and advisory roles.

“From now henceforth, we're going to work harmoniously and we'll achieve the goal for which it was set up,” she said.