The Sub Delegate of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Bangem Sub Division, Epumangando Synthia Epede Bih, in collaboration with Bangem Council, has celebrated World Menstrual Hygiene Day, donating sanitary pads to over 150 teenagers in Bangem.
The celebration took place at the Bangem Council Hall, June 8, 2025, under the theme, “Together for a Period Friendly World.”
In her opening address, the Epumangando thanked the teenagers, single mothers, pregnant women and parents for their massive presence at the ceremony.
She said the 28th of May is celebrated as the World Menstrual Hygiene Day to break the silence, end the stigma, support menstrual hygiene for a period friendly community. She revealed that because of some practical reasons, they decided to celebrate on June 8 in Bangem.
According to Epumangando, the 28th was chosen to symbolize the 28 days of an average length of a menstrual cycle.
She called on parents, friends, colleagues and the society at large to support young girls during menstruation, advancing that menstrual flow is not a taboo but a reality of nature from puberty to the state of menopause, where the flow stops.
The Sub Delegate added that by bringing adolescents, parents, men and care givers to create space for conversations, education, dignity, challenge stigma and menstrual taboos, they are addressing the social and systemic barriers and ensuring menstrual health is not only a “women’s affair” but everyone’s affair.
She stated that this helps to shift the stigma and taboos that prevent many menstruators from managing their periods with dignity.
The Sub Delegate thanked the Mayor for the financial support that enabled them to buy sanitary pads.
In his words of encouragement, the Mayor of Bangem Council, Ekungwe Kang Christopher recalled how a parliamentarian in an African country once stained her white trouser with red ink as if it is menses and walked freely in the hall during a parliamentary session.
He said when other female MPs cautioned her, she told them that menstruation is neither a shameful thing nor a taboo, but a gift of nature.
“My mother, wife and children all menstruate. Menstruation is a normal, natural, and not shameful thing as many people think.” He added.
Meanwhile the Divisional Delegate of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Kupe Muanenguba, Ngwene Cecilia Mbolle appealed to parents to break the silence and teach their children about menstruation and related topics.
She said once children grow with the knowledge of menstruation, it won’t be an embarrassment to them.
Mbolle also pleaded with parents to always provide pads to their children to support them in the process. She pleaded with girls never to miss classes because of menstruation because this will affect their academic performance.
Representing the District Medical Officer, DMO of Bangem Health District, Dr. Nkengafac Fobella, Ekwelle Nicole Munge, a nurse, lectured on the menstrual cycle, phases of the menstrual cycle, the Dos and Don’ts of menstruation, menstrual hygiene, amongst others.
Other activities at the ceremony were presentation of poems on topics like; My Period My Pride, My Feel My Period, I Will not be Ashamed, and Don’t Feel Dirty, question and answer session, and distribution of sanitary pads to participants.
Also present at the ceremony was the Divisional Delegate of Communication, Kupe Muanenguba, Dr. Olive Ejang, the Secretary General of Bangem Council, Agbor Clementine, the President of Bangem Women’s Forum, Abwe Jenet, amongst others.
By Ahone Jessy
