Pâ schoolgirls advocate for emergency and reusable sanitary pads to improve menstrual hygiene and school attendance
via Lefaso.net3 min read
At the departmental high school in Pâ, 378 girls are facing significant challenges related to menstrual hygiene, leading many to miss school days. Carine Dabiré, speaking on behalf of her peers, highlighted that menstruation is a monthly source of anxiety for students. They are requesting functional water points near latrines, secure toilets with locks, an emergency stock of sanitary pads at the infirmary, and materials to make reusable protection. They emphasized that investing in menstrual hygiene is an investment in girls' education and future, asserting their desire to remain in class and succeed. The school's principal, Honorine Ilboudo, confirmed that students leave school due to inadequate facilities and that the school struggles to provide some pads. She also reported six school dropouts in the 2025-2026 academic year due to pregnancies, early marriages, and the influence of certain men in the area on young girls. The SWEDD+ project, involving ministries of health, secondary education, family and solidarity, and sports, youth and employment, is addressing these issues. Sylvie Valian Zoundi, female education advisor at the Ministry of Family and Solidarity, stressed the need to support out-of-school girls and dropouts, alongside in-school actions, by providing training for income-generating activities and daycare centers. Marie Véronique Ilboudo, gender promotion advisor, detailed a holistic approach to gender-based violence, covering health, psychological, legal, judi
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