“Champions for Change”: CHHELD Setup Menstrual Health and Climate Justice Clubs in Public Secondary Schools in Rivers State

The setup of Menstrual Health and Climate Justice (MCJ) Clubs across 10 public secondary schools in Khana Local Government Area, was successfully established. The MCJ clubs will raise awareness about menstrual health and environmental sustainability, foster leadership skills amongst students, promote advocacy on menstrual hygiene practices and climate justice. The club members will be provided with information and tools to champion change, both in their schools and communities. This activity was held on 3^rd, 4^th, 8^th, 9^th, and 10^th of April 2025, as two MCJ clubs were inaugurated per day. The schools include:

1. Community Security School (CSS) Lorre
2. Government Secondary School (GSS) Sogho
3. Community Secondary School (CSS) Bori
4. Birabi Memorial Grammar School (BMGS) Bori
5. Kono Secondary School (KSS) Kono

   

6. Community Secondary School (CSS) Baen
7. Community Secondary School (CSS) Okwale
8. Kabangha Community Secondary School (KCSS) Kabangha
9. Community Secondary School (CSS) Yeekunu Zaakpon
10. Community Secondary School (CSS) Uegwere Boue

Through the Khana Zonal Director of Ministry of Education – Mrs Zinabari, the ALAM-H project officers engaged with the various school principals across the 10 selected schools. We were granted access to meet with the students and some teachers for a period of 2-hours, to formally introduce the ALAM-H project, create awareness on prevalent issues surrounding menstruation and climate change, and to setup the Menstrual Health and Climate Justice (MCJ) clubs in the 10 selected public schools.

 

There was a 30-minute interactive session on “Menstrual Hygiene” where the students were made to understand the meaning of menstrual hygiene, why menstrual hygiene is important and the various menstrual hygiene practices. The students were asked to mention the importance of menstrual and some of their responses include;

1. Proper menstrual hygiene prevents infections and health complications – Lekue Juliet from CSS Okwale
2. Menstrual hygiene boost confidence during monthly periods – Niabari Hope from CSS Lorre
3. It also ensures that girls do not miss school – Barry DonVictory from BMGS

 

This was followed by fun-task where menstrual hygiene questions were wrapped in a paper and the students took turns to pick them and respond to the questions. They found this task very interesting and it reinforced what they have learnt from the session. This session encouraged open discussions about menstrual hygiene amongst the students while showcasing placards with informative write-ups such as;

1. Menstrual Health Matters, Take Action
2. “Break The Stigma”; Periods Don’t Stop the World. Why Should They Stop Girls?
3. Girls Deserve Safe and Dignified Menstruation
4. Eco-Friendly Sanitary Pads, Healthier Earth
5. I Will Be a Voice for Climate Action and Sustainability
6. There’s No Planet B, ACT NOW! Protect the Earth

 

INAUGURATION OF CLUB MEMBERS

• Each school nominated 15 student representatives (both male and female) and a teacher as the Club Matron/Patron. The project officers introduced the purpose, structure, benefits, modus operandi, club pledge and objectives (raise awareness, end period stigma, promote environmental sustainability, advocate for period equity and take climate actions) of the club.
• Each of the school club elected a leadership team comprising a President, Vice President, Secretary, and PRO. Roles were clearly defined to ensure accountability and active participation.

  

• Branded club crest was issued to each club member with the write-up “I am a champion for change” and this will be worn during club meetings
• The project team informed the schools about the pad banks that will be setup in each school and the training of selected club members ecofriendly reusable pad-making skills.