WFWI, Bauchi Legislators, Stakeholders Review Proposed Sanitary Pad Banks Bill for Schools
In a concerted effort to expedite the passage of a bill proposing the establishment of sanitary pad banks in Bauchi State schools, Women for Women International (WFWI), a women-led NGO, convened a one-day meeting with Bauchi State legislators. The meeting aimed to review the bill to ensure its swift approval and implementation.
Held in Jos, the meeting brought together the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman, and over 30 members of the state legislature, alongside Bauchi State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam.
During her keynote address, Bukola Oyinshi, Country Director of Women for Women International, underscored the importance of the review session, highlighting its role in addressing the critical issue of menstrual hygiene. Oyinshi emphasized that menstrual health is a fundamental issue not only of dignity but also of education, health, and economic empowerment for women and girls. She added that the proposed Pad Bank Law would significantly improve access to menstrual hygiene products by institutionalizing pad banks in schools and removing taxes on menstrual products, thus ensuring equity for women in underserved communities.
Oyinshi also expressed confidence in the collective efforts of local partners such as the Attah Sisters Helping Hand (ASHH) Foundation and the Child is Gold Foundation in Bauchi State, noting that the aim was to craft a law that is inclusive, impactful, and sustainable.
Acknowledging the progress made, Speaker Suleiman reaffirmed the assembly’s commitment to advancing women’s rights, despite the absence of female lawmakers. He urged the implementing foundations to incorporate the assembly’s feedback into the bill, promising to fast-track its passage. “If necessary adjustments are made quickly, we can pass the law within two weeks,” he assured.
In his goodwill message, Dr. Sani Muhammad Dambam, Commissioner for Health, lauded the initiative and praised the advocacy efforts of ASHH and the Child is Gold Foundation through the “Untax My Menstrual Pad” campaign. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the cause.
The Executive Director of the Child is Gold Foundation also emphasized that lack of access to sanitary pads remains a significant barrier to girls’ education in Bauchi State, underscoring the importance of the bill in enabling girls to attend school without interruption during their menstrual cycles.
Closing the session, Ambassador Comfort Attah, Executive Director of ASHH, expressed gratitude to the Bauchi State legislators for their support, highlighting the transformative potential of the policy in ensuring equality in education and opportunity for girls. “This policy is about transforming lives and fostering equality,” she concluded.
According to a statement released by the ASHH Foundation, the proposed bill, which has already passed its first and second readings in the 10th Assembly of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, seeks to establish sanitary pad banks in all government schools in the state. The initiative, funded by Women for Women International, aims to reduce absenteeism among girls caused by menstrual challenges.
The review meeting also marked a significant milestone for the “Untax My Menstrual Pad” movement in Bauchi, which seeks to remove fiscal barriers to menstrual hygiene products. This movement, gaining significant traction in the North-East, is now poised for legislative action.
