In a groundbreaking survey, it has been uncovered that a staggering 87% of educational institutions in Bhola district lack essential menstruation-friendly toilet facilities.
Addressing this critical issue, a workshop focusing on the role of mass media in enhancing menstruation hygiene management was conducted at the Bhola Press Club Auditorium. The event, organized by Plan International Bangladesh’s Stop the Stigma Project, shed light on the pressing challenges faced by teenage girls in Bhola.
Nasreen Nahar, the Project Manager of Stop the Stigma Project, shared pivotal insights from the survey conducted in Bhola, revealing that 29% of teenage girls were unaware of available menstruation health services. Furthermore, 53% of teenage girls possessed limited knowledge about menstruation.
The survey exposed alarming statistics, indicating that 34% of schools lacked a handwashing zone, and 65% of educational institutions lacked a proper system for napkin disposal. Shockingly, 78% of educational institutions lacked soap for student hygiene, while 59% had soap but no water or basin.
The inadequacy in menstrual health management is taking a toll on female students, leading to an average of 36-40 days of absenteeism during their menstrual period. This absence negatively impacts academic performance, with students falling behind in their studies and experiencing poor exam results.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, Nasreen Nahar emphasized the necessity for open discussions to increase awareness about menstrual health management.
The initiative to address this crisis is being led by the Sajeda Foundation, a private development organization, in Bhola Sadar Upazila. The three-year project, initiated in May 2022, spans 34 secondary schools and 16 madrasas in Bhola upazila. A total of 100 resource teachers have been meticulously trained to conduct monthly awareness sessions, creating a supportive environment for adolescent and young women aged 10 to 24 years in 13 unions of Bhola Sadar upazila.
