ASATTAHIR International Foundation (AIF) has participated in the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) stakeholders meeting hosted by Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria in collaboration with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Sokoto.
AIF is being inducted as a member of the Sokoto state Technical Working Group on MHHM which was inaugurated on the 5th September 2024.
The purpose of the Technical Working Group (TWG) is to promote menstrual health and hygiene in Sokoto state in a coordinated manner.
The aim and objectives of the TWG is to be the coordinating mechanism for MHHM interventions in the state, capacity development, policy dialogue and promote it’s regulation, facilitate collaboration, partnership and inclusion as well as resource mobilization for MHHM activities in Sokoto state and Nigeria at large.
AIF was represented by its Head of Programs and Research Rufus Yagkong who gave an overview of the previous as well as ongoing interventions in the promotion of MHHM in Sokoto state.
He highlighted that AIF has expanded it’s scope of operations in the state to cover areas affected by the activities of NSAG under its Menstrual Hygiene in Emergencies (MHE) plan and has supported households with the much needed MHHM kits which includes both disposable and reusable sanitary pads, soaps, plastic buckets, child potty, water purification tablets, underwears and wrappers etc.
Dignitaries present cut across government representatives, religious and traditional leaders.
In her remarks, the Executive Secretary Sokoto state Primary Healthcare Development Agency thanked Population Services International for the intervention.
She also noted that adolescent girls and women of child bearing age in Sokoto state are faced with various socio-cultural challenges which constraints them from accessing vital information and MHHM services.
She stated that the barrier can be broken through education, continuous sensitization, advocacy and policy dialogue.
Similarly, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Sokoto while appreciating PSI Nigeria for the intervention expressed optimism that by the end of the project, the challenges associated with MHHM will be reduced substantially.
The activity featured presentation, round table discussions and resolutions on line of actions that’ll drive the TWG in the right direction.
