News
Men challenged to support women during menstruation
Men challenged to support women during menstruation
By: Bodunrin Kayode
Men and boys have been challenged to begin a deliberate campaign to support women in achieving a stress free and smooth monthly menstrual cycle.
In a paper titled “The role of men and boys in menstrual hygiene management, Let the men menstruate,” a key speaker at a ceremony to mark the world menstrual day in maiduguri, Dr Tim Daret said it was high time the men stopped being neutral in the issue affecting their partners and colleagues.
Daret who is the WASH Program Manager-Hygiene Promotion in the Christian Relief Services (CRS) said that the women would be much more comfortable if the men took special interest in the challenges associated with monthly menstruation.
Dr Daret posited that men and boys can support women and girls to manage menstruation effectively across different social domains including household, community, school, and work.
“Men and boys influence women and girls experiences of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) through many roles, including as husbands, fathers, brothers, students, peers, teachers, community leaders, entrepreneurs, employers, development and humanitarian practitioners, and policymakers.” he noted.
He regretted that menstruation is still subjected to societal, cultural, and religious constraints, which pose a significant impediment to proper menstrual hygiene management.
Tim maintained that there is an increasing recognition that menstrual hygiene management (MHM) is a multi-sectoral issue that requires integrated action, particularly from the education, health and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sectors.
” Numerous studies have shown that the lack of MHM-friendly facilities and support for schoolgirls and female teachers is a barrier to their full participation in school and thus to quality education.
” Cultural norms around menstruation are rooted in gender inequality and compromise women’s ability to manage menstruation hygienically and with dignity.
” While there has been significant progress in developing comprehensive approaches to menstrual hygiene management (MHM), the role of men and boys in supporting menstrual hygiene has been lacking.
” Engaging boys and men in Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) is crucial for several reasons. Here are some key points highlighting its importance:
Reducing Stigma and Taboos: Involving boys and men helps break down the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation, fostering a more open and supportive environment.
” Promoting Gender Equality: Education on MHM for boys and men promotes gender equality by normalizing menstruation and ensuring that both sexes understand and respect this natural process.
” Creating Supportive Environments: When boys and men are informed and supportive, they can contribute to creating enabling environments at home, in schools, and in the community where menstruating individuals feel comfortable and respected.
” Improving Health Outcomes: Engaged males can advocate for better menstrual hygiene products and facilities, contributing to improved health and hygiene outcomes for girls and women.
Encouraging Empathy and Understanding: Educating boys and men about menstruation fosters empathy and understanding, which can reduce bullying and discrimination against menstruating individuals.
” Supporting Women and Girls: Informed men can support their partners, daughters, and peers by providing emotional and practical support, such as helping to purchase menstrual hygiene products or advocating for menstrual leave policies.
” Enhancing Communication: Open conversations about menstruation can improve communication between genders, leading to stronger relationships and better mutual support.
Influencing Policy and Decision-Making: Men, often in positions of power, can advocate for and implement policies that ensure menstrual hygiene products are accessible and affordable, and that facilities are available in schools and workplaces.
” Economic Impact: Understanding the challenges associated with menstruation can lead to initiatives that prevent girls from missing school or women from missing work, thereby reducing economic disadvantages.
” Cultural Shift: Engaging boys and men in MHM education helps shift cultural perceptions, making menstruation a normal and accepted part of life rather than a hidden or shameful topic.
By involving boys and men in MHM, societies can take significant steps toward creating more inclusive, supportive, and equitable environments for all individuals.” he stated.
Highlight of the occasion which was held at the Government girls college in maiduguri was the display of how to make reusable menstrual pads and a distribution of pads to all the schools invited to attend the occasion.
The students were also treated to several drama skits to broaden their horizon on the issue of menstruation and why it should be a hitch free exercise instead of a taboo.
Men challenged to support women during menstruation
NDLEA intercepts cocaine in Saudi-bound religious books
By: Michael Mike
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have intercepted a shipment of cocaine concealed in 20 sets of religious books going to Saudi Arabia.
The spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi in a statement on Sunday said the cocaine consignment consisting of 20 parcels with a total weight of 500 grammes and buried in the pages of the religious books was uncovered at a courier company in Lagos last Tuesday when NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation (DOGI) were searching through export cargos going to Saudi Arabia at the logistics firm.
Babafemi said at another courier company same day, NDLEA officers intercepted five parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 2.8 kilogrammes hidden in a carton coming from the United States of America.
In Kano, a 22-year-old alleged supplier of illicit substances to bandits, Muhammad Mohammed, has been arrested by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bichi – Kano road while heading to Katsina with 277 ampoules of pentazocine injection tied to his thigh and private part with Sellotape.
He was intercepted on Sunday 13th April, while another suspect, Mohammed Abdulrahman Abdulaziz, 43, was nabbed same day at Research Rimin Kebe area of Nasarawa, Kano with 68 blocks of skunk, a strain of cannabis, weighing 30 kilogrammes.
He said not less than 557.2 kilogrammes of skunk, 5.6 kilogrammes of methamphetamine and 29.8 grammes of heroin were recovered from a house along Major General Isaiah Alllison Street, Opolo, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state where four suspects were arrested when NDLEA operatives raided the premises last Wednesday
Babafemi said the four suspects arrested during the raid include: Sarimiye Suwa, 46; Roland Prosper, 34; Sarimiye Tare, 45; and Fidelis Ugbesla, 46, while a total of 1,100 kilogrammes of skunk were recovered from a delivery van with the driver, Ismail Abdullahi arrested in Surulere area of Lagos last Thursday.
In Kaduna, NDLEA operatives last Friday raided the hideout of a suspect, Ike Ani, 30, in Zaria, where no fewer than 31,950 pills of tramadol 225mg and diazepam were recovered, and in Kebbi, along Bagudo road on the same day a vehicle loaded with bags of charcoal coming from Malabil, Benin Republic was intercepted, when the vehicle was search, 97 kilogrammes of skunk concealed in the sacks of charcoal was recovered.
. Three suspects: Abubakar Ibrahim, 50; Mustapha Aliyu, 32; and Bashar Lawali, 28, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
A 48-year-old Okafor Marcel was nabbed with 11.5 kilogrammes skunk at Abatete, Anambra state while NDLEA operatives in Osogbo, Osun state last Tuesday arrested Ajala Mercy, 27, with 43 litres of skushi, a mixture of black currant, cannabis and opioids recovered from her room at Dada estate, Halleluyah area of the state capital.
Babafemi said two cannabis farms in Egbeta forest, Ovia North East LGA, Edo state were raided by NDLEA operatives who destroyed 3,717.8625 kilogrammes of the psychoactive plant on 1.487145 hectares and recovered 136.5 kilogrammes of processed cannabis.
At the Tincan seaport in Lagos, a suspect Basorun Kayode, 40, who has been at large for two years was arrested by NDLEA officers in connection with the seizure of 107 kilogrammes Loud imported from Canada in 2023, while another suspect, Dauda Yakubu who distributes illicit drugs within the seaport community was arrested by a team of operatives last Monday.
The spokesman said the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA commands equally continued across the country in the past week.
Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (Rtd) while commending the officers and men of DOGI, Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Kebbi, Osun, Zone 13, Edo and Tin-can commands of the agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for ensuring a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.
NDLEA intercepts cocaine in Saudi-bound religious books
Fire Guts Water Board IDP Camp in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
A devastating fire broke out at the Water Board IDP Camp in Monguno Local Government Area (LGA) on April 19, 2025, destroying approximately one hundred thatch and makeshift houses.
Eye witnesses said that the fire started at around 1040hrs and rapidly spread across the settlement, burning household items, foodstuffs, and other valuable properties to ashes.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and the value of the property destroyed is still being assessed.
Humanitarian officials were immediately deployed to the scene to maintain crowd control and prevent looting, while firefighters, alongside camp residents, worked tirelessly to extinguish the flames.
Fortunately, no casualties or loss of life were reported.
Fire Guts Water Board IDP Camp in Monguno, Borno
Terrorists Snatch Vehicle in Monguno, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed assailants suspected to be members of ISWAP/Boko Haram attacked and snatched a vehicle in Monguno Local Government Area (LGA) on April 18, 2025, at about 1400hrs.
Saleh Haun, a resident of the Water Board IDP Camp in Monguno, reported that while he was at the Gumnari Bush Area in Monguno, four armed gunmen, riding on two motorcycles, accosted him.
The assailants, at gunpoint, seized his white Toyota Land Cruiser, before fleeing with the vehicle to an unknown location.
A Military Forward Operating Base (FOB) has been alerted, and efforts are underway to to track the assailant and recover the stolen vehicle.
Terrorists Snatch Vehicle in Monguno, Borno
Troops Foil Fresh Violence as Armed Youths Attack Fulani Settlement in Plateau
Senator Donates Relief Materials to Communal Clash Deceases Families in Jigawa
NDLEA intercepts cocaine in Saudi-bound religious books
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions3 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
Opinions3 years ago
POLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
News1 year agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Columns1 year agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
ACADEMICS1 year agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Opinions1 year agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
-
Politics8 months agoKashim Shettima: Of Sentiments, Their Opinions, and the 21 billion Naira VP’s Official Resident
