The Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) has intensified advocacy for the adoption of a menstrual health and hygiene management policy in Anambra State.
The advocacy, undertaken through DeCODE’s Menstrual Ease for Girls (ME4Girls) Project with funding support from Rise Up Together, seeks to support the adoption and phased implementation of the National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policy in Anambra, ensuring that no girl is denied education because of challenges associated with menstruation.
During an advocacy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Anambra State Ministry of Education, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, the organisation outlined the need for a coordinated state response to menstrual health, stressing that evidence from years of engagement with adolescent girls shows that inadequate menstrual health information, poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, limited access to menstrual products and menstrual stigma continue to affect girls’ school attendance, participation and academic performance.
Receiving the advocacy team on behalf of the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, Agbaizu commended DeCODE for championing an initiative that directly addresses the welfare and educational needs of girls in public secondary schools.
“I 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.”
Speaking during the visit, Project Lead of the ME4Girls Project, Mrs. Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze, said the initiative builds on DeCODE’s more than eight years of experience promoting menstrual health education and support for girls in schools and communities across Anambra State.
According to her, the organisation’s long-standing engagement has demonstrated that menstrual health is not merely a health issue but also an education and development concern, as many girls continue to miss classes or participate less actively in school because of poor menstrual health management.
She explained that the ME4Girls Project is designed to move beyond awareness campaigns by driving evidence-based policy reforms capable of institutionalising menstrual health and hygiene management within the state’s education system.
Enweonwu-Arinze disclosed that DeCODE is currently conducting a menstrual health situation assessment in 12 public secondary schools across six local government areas to generate evidence that will inform government policy and practical interventions. She added that the organisation is also engaging key government institutions through Key Informant Interviews and stakeholder consultations to identify existing initiatives, policy gaps and opportunities for collaboration.
She noted that the Ministry of Education occupies a strategic position in the process because public secondary schools are the primary focus of the project and the ministry is expected to provide leadership in implementing any policy adopted by the state government.
The Project Lead further explained that DeCODE is advocating the adoption of the National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policy in Anambra and the development of a state implementation framework involving the Ministries of Education, Health and Women Affairs to ensure coordinated action.
As part of its broader strategy, the organisation is facilitating the establishment of the Anambra Menstrual Health Advocacy Coalition, a platform that will bring together government institutions, civil society organisations, development partners and community groups to strengthen advocacy and promote sustainable menstrual health interventions across the state.
Enweonwu-Arinze expressed optimism that evidence generated through the school assessment and stakeholder engagements would provide a strong foundation for policy decisions that improve girls’ health, dignity and educational opportunities while reducing school absenteeism associated with poor menstrual health management.
The Ministry of Education’s positive response is expected to strengthen DeCODE’s engagement with government and other stakeholders as the organisation continues to advocate for a supportive school environment where every girl can manage menstruation safely, confidently and with dignity without it becoming a barrier to her education.
