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BAUCHI, Nigeria (NAN)- The Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) has approved a bill to create sanitary pad banks within schools, correctional facilities, and community centres across the state.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Lawal Dauda, introduced the bill during the plenary session on Wednesday.
Dauda, while discussing the bill, highlighted that offering free sanitary pads would help manage menstrual hygiene challenges and decrease absenteeism in schools.
"This initiative is also poised to enhance hygiene for underprivileged adolescent girls, women, and female inmates during their menstrual cycles," he stated.
Dauda noted that Bauchi State is the first in Nigeria to enact such legislation.
"This groundbreaking law intends to address issues related to menstrual hygiene management and foster women's development in the state," he further explained.
The Speaker of the House, Abubakar Suleiman, commended the state and collaborating partners for their relentless efforts in supporting the bill's passage.
Suleiman assured that the legislation would positively affect underprivileged adolescent girls and women who struggle to afford sanitary pads.
In reaction to the bill's passage, Executive Director of ASHH Foundation, Comfort Attah, expressed appreciation to the state government, the legislature, and partner organizations for their initiatives.
she cautioned that although the passage of the bill marks a significant achievement, it cannot be fully implemented until the governor signs it into law.
