The celebration of the international women’s month should be a celebration aimed at supporting and uplifting women and girls worldwide. If we are able to support women and equip young girls together, I believe we can create a brighter future for all.
So this year’s international women celebration was different, I feel happy because at least I was able to add value to the lives of younger girls. In view of the international women’s month, as medical students, we are committed to making a positive impact on our community, especially when it comes to promoting health education and awareness. We the medical student of the University of Uyo medical Students Association (UUMSA) embarked on a mission to create awareness about a crucial yet often stigmatized topic: Endometriosis Awareness and Girl Child Advocacy.
In celebration of International Women's Day, we organized a visit to a local secondary school to teach young students about women's health. Our goal was not only to educate but also to empower and support these young individuals as they go through the challenges of adolescence.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue that are similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This condition is affecting millions of women worldwide. Endometriosis remains poorly understood, and many women suffer in silence due to lack of awareness and stigma. This March is recognized as Endometriosis Awareness Month together with the women celebration presented an opportunity for us to shed light and create awareness the young girls and women on this critical issue.
We arrived at the secondary school quite early and we were warmly welcomed by the school administration and students. We began by introducing ourselves and explaining the purpose of our visit. The school principal granted us approval to go ahead and enlighten the students as much as we can.
We felt glad that the purpose of being there was approved and all thanks to God it was a female principal, as a woman she also found the need for us being there to speak to the young girls. The students were curious and eager to learn more about endometriosis and its impact on women's lives.
We needed to start immediately as we did not have the luxury of time to spare. Our educational session commenced with an overview of endometriosis, its symptoms, causes, and effects on women's health. We made use of visual aids, videos, and real-life examples to teach the students, the practical examples and visual aids made it quite easier for them to understand better. The students actively participated, I am sure the enjoyed the session because most of them were so curious to ask thoughtful questions and some were bold enough to share their experiences and those of their family members.
It was not just about endometriosis, our team of medical students took turns explaining the basics of the menstrual cycle, including the physical and emotional changes that occur during this time. We explained the importance of using sanitary products, emphasizing that they are essential for maintaining good hygiene and preventing health complications. Our team also demonstrated how to properly use and dispose of sanitary pads.
We also help them to understand that menstruation is a natural part of life not a disease condition as some society see it as a taboo. We advised them to feel free to talk about it whenever they feel uncomfortable either to their mothers, aunties or teachers.
We ended the sessions by asking and answering questions, we also gifted them some sanitary pads.
Our visit to the secondary school was a rewarding experience that allowed us to make a positive impact on the lives of young students and I am glad the mission was successful.
As we celebrate International Women's Month, let’s all recognize the importance of continued efforts to support and uplift women and girls worldwide. Together, we can create a brighter and more equitable future for all.
