Bauchi Assembly holds public hearing on bill to establish sanitary pads bank

A public hearing was organized regarding a bill aimed at establishing sanitary pad banks in schools and correctional facilities across Bauchi State.

The public hearing, held at the BAHA complex on Wednesday, February 27, 2025, attracted the CEOs of relevant state MDAs, women-led civil society organizations (CSOs), and members of the media.

This event was organized by the Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) in collaboration with the Attah Sisters Helping Hand (ASHH) Foundation and the Child is Gold Foundation, with support from Women for Women International (WFWI).

In his opening remarks, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sale Hodi Jibir, who represented the Speaker, Rt. Honourable Abubakar Suleiman, expressed appreciation to the participants for their interest in promoting menstrual hygiene.

The Speaker conveyed optimism that once the law is amended, it will provide support to indigent female students who cannot afford sanitary pads during their school sessions. He acknowledged the efforts of all state actors, WfWI, ASHH Foundation, the Child is Gold Foundation, other CSOs, and the media for their patience and dedication in ensuring the bill reaches its logical conclusion.

The Speaker reiterated the commitment of the house members to support initiatives that promote women’s development in the state.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Lawal Dauda, highlighted one of the significant issues faced by schoolgirls: inadequate management of menstruation due to lack of access to sanitary pads in school environments.

Lawal Dauda emphasized that the consequences of this issue are severe, often resulting in school absenteeism, and in some cases, causing indigent female students to drop out of school entirely.

According to him, “This development without doubt is seriously hampering the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG4) on quality education and (SDG5) on gender equality and women empowerment”. 

He added that, “Distinguished invited guests, we are here to discuss a Bill for a Law to provide an amendment to Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Board Law, 2012 which is aimed at creating Menstrual Hygiene Department.” 

According to him, “The Department, when created, would be saddled with the responsibility of providing free sanitary pads in Primary, Secondary and Community Schools across the State so as to address menstrual hygiene challenges among school girls and out-of-school girls.” 

“This, in turn, can promote gender equity, improve school attendance, and enhance the health and dignity of girls in the State. Equally, it would provide a framework for the establishment and management of pad banks, aligning with global best practices and Sustainable Development Goals in our dear State”, Hon. Dauda enthused.

The House Committee Chairman further said that the Public Hearing was organized by the House Committee on Health and Human Services with a view to collating views, observations and/or comments in respect of the amendment Bill so that the desired results would be achieved. 

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