Double celebration of World Menstrual Hygiene and Nutrition Day – sparks change and empowers young minds.

Four schools in the Nebilyer area of Western Highlands Province, Kuga Pabrabuk Primary, Kuga Elementary, Pabrabuk Elementary and Papikola PNG Bible Church ACE Schools, came together recently to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day and World Nutrition Day with exciting celebrations.

With the themes “Food connects us” and “Together for a period-friendly world,” students and teachers welcomed the Public Health Team from the Western Highlands Provincial Health Authority (WHPHA) to celebrate the combined events. 

The day was filled with engaging activities, including drama performances, poems, singing, and dancing, all aimed at raising awareness about menstrual health and the importance of nutrition.

Adding to the excitement, the Public Health Team joined the festivities, applauding the creative ways students engaged with critical health topics. The event wrapped up with a nutrition cooking demonstration, where selected students and teachers got hands-on experience making healthy meals, guided by Health Promotion Officers.

To ensure the impact extended beyond the celebrations, WHPHA distributed sanitary pads, hand sanitizers, and hand wash to the schools, reinforcing hygiene practices. Teachers embraced the opportunity, expressing gratitude to WHPHA staff and made a call for more health-focused initiatives in the future.

As the day drew to a close, one message rang loud and clear: knowledge fuels change, and when a community comes together, transformation is inevitable. The celebrations were a testament to the power of education, proving that with the right information and action, a healthier future is within reach.