Menstruation is normal - governor

One in ten menstruating girls in Namibia skip school every month or drop out completely because of a lack of sanitary products.

This was said by Khomas governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua during the commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day in Windhoek on Tuesday.

The annual awareness day is observed on 28 May to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management.

McLeod-Katjirua said if girls do not have access to sanitary products when they menstruate, they are forced to make use of unsanitary and ineffective materials which cause infection and discomfort.

“A learner who is not clean and cannot make use of improved sanitation facilities will not easily integrate with their peers,” the governor said.

She added that girls who have good knowledge of menstrual health and hygiene and access to sanitary pads are also less vulnerable to low academic performance, dropping out of school, HIV, sexually transmitted diseases, stigma and teenage pregnancy.

McLeod-Katjirua further noted that menstruation is normal and girls should not see it as a secretive and unclean process.

The day was commemorated under the theme 'It's time for action.'

NAMPA