Menstrual hygiene promotion received a boost in Bauchi as State Legislators pledged their support for any initiative that would enhance good practices of the natural phenomena that is associated with women in the society.
This pledges by the Bauchi State Legislators was one of the major commitments made when a Coalition of Women’s Rights Organizations (WROs), under the banner of the UNTAX MY MENSTRUAL PAD Movement, led by ASHH and CIG Foundations paid an advocacy visit to Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) recently.
A press statement by the Communication officer of ASHH Foundation, Joseph Sule, said that the advocacy visit was aimed at getting the support of the Legislators on the campaign for the removal of taxes on sanitary pads and the need for establishing pad banks in schools across Bauchi State.
This, according to the statement, is to ensure that girls have access to sanitary pads during their menstrual periods, without having to miss school.
During the visit, the Coalition presented a communique adopted by all members during their inaugural meeting in April 2024, seeking for the implementation of their recommendations.
Responding on behalf of the honourable members, Speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Y. Suleiman expressed his admiration for the coalition's innovative concept of establishing pad banks in schools—a move he described as groundbreaking and worthy of note.
He assured the coalition that the House would take swift action on the matter to ensure the initiative is implemented.
The speaker then directed the house committee chairman on health Hon. Lawal Dauda to prepare the necessary bill and present it to the House for consideration.
Rt. Hon. Sulaiman also expressed the House gratitude to Women for Women International (WFWI) for their steadfast support and commitment to advancing gender equality, championing women’s rights, and promoting the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda (WPSA) in Bauchi State and the Nation at large.
"Through your tireless advocacies and impactful initiatives, you have empowered countless women, providing them with the tools, voice, and confidence to transform their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities and national development", the speaker said.
Earlier in a goodwill message during the visit Hon. (Dr.) Nasir A. Ala, house committee chairman on education, praised the coalition for its proactive efforts to support government initiatives and assured them of the House's readiness to collaborate on advancing the rights of women and girls in Bauchi State.
Also as part of the goodwill, another member, Hon. Mohammed Wanzam reiterated the House commitment to gender equality and expressed the House openness to working with women to advance their rights, despite the House being composed entirely of men.
During the visit by the coalition, the Speaker was joined by ten honorable members who chair key committees, which includes: Hon. Dr. Nasir A. Ala, Chairman of the House Committee on Education; Hon. Lawal Dauda, Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Ahmed Maikudi Yahaya, Chairman of the House Committee on Power, Science, and Technology, Hon. Garba Lawal, Chairman of the House Committee on Security and Hon. Dayyabu L.M, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture.
Others are: Hon. Habibu Umar, Hon. Mohammed Wanzam, Chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs; Mamman Yakubu, representing Information Bauchi State House of Assembly and Umar Yusuf Gital Esq, Clerk of the Bauchi State House of Assembly.
Our correspondent reports that the "UNTAX MY MENSTRUAL PAD Movement" of the Women Organization Coalition is being funded by Women for Women International (WFWI).
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