Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) jointly launched a project “Improving Menstrual Health Management of Adolescent girls and women in Cox’s Bazar,” to improve Rohingya women and girls' menstrual hygiene on Sunday.
The project was funded by KOICA, aiming to continue strengthening knowledge, information and understanding around menstrual health management to some of the most vulnerable populations in Cox’s Bazar, said a press release.
It will be implemented in both Rohingya refugee camps and host community locations, the direct beneficiaries will be 17,160 adolescent girls and boys, females and caregivers, and almost 1,500 indirect beneficiaries working with the communities in the Cox’s Bazar district.
The project will showcase the active involvement and participation of women, boys, men, parents, community leaders - including religious leaders and women leaders, as well as caregivers - in improving the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls in the district.
“We highly value this partnership and the precious contribution of KOICA to UNFPA in the menstrual health management for adolescent girls and women in Cox’s Bazar. It is essential to focus on the health and well-being of adolescent girls, as they lack access to sanitary facilities and menstrual products and supplies,” Md Abdus Salam Khan joint secretary, Medical Education and Family Welfare Division, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.
“Menstruation is an important fact of life, and there should be no stigma attached to it or be left unattended. It’s important that everyone, including especially girls, learn the facts and debunk myths around menstruation and participate in sensitizing their communities on the importance of health, hygiene, and dignity, both in and out of the camps” Dr Eiko Narita, deputy country representative of UNFPA Bangladesh mentioned.
Speaking at the project launching ceremony, the Country Director of KOICA Bangladesh, Youngah Doh said, “We hope that this project will improve knowledge and access to Menstrual Health Management facilities and contribute to raising awareness on gender equality so that women and girls can equally participate in society and live a healthy and productive life.”
