later escaped, are currently being rehabilitated, the United Nations
has said.
In a statement on the UN website, the United Nations Population Fund
said, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and the
United Nations Children's Fund, it was setting up clinics and
providing health screening for any of the girls coming back, as well
as educating those who had escaped.
The representative of the UNFPA in Nigeria, Ms. Rati Ndhlovu, was
quoted as saying, "The girls are running from home and they have no
menstruation pads and have nothing to use. They need water. They need
the basic things that keep a woman dignified".
The statement further said the UNFPA had distributed much-needed
essentials including "dignity kits" that include sanitary napkins.
The UNFPA added that it was educating the girls about healthy timing
of pregnancies.
Ndhlovu added, "The girls are asked to question becoming pregnant
during times of insecurity. It may not be the best time to be pregnant
when you can hardly sleep in your house, when you are running all the
time.
"With most health clinics closed and a shortage of health workers, the
UN and its partners are leading and supporting coordination efforts to
ensure synergies around interventions. In that regard, the UN is
working with local non-governmental organisations and engaging the Red
Cross on logistical matters".
The fund also said it was training traditional and religious leaders
on how to work with their communities to address certain challenges.
It added that the programmes are aimed at changing attitudes so that
the returning girls are not stigmatised and ignored based on their
experiences.
"Initially, the girls didn't want to hear about school or go back to
school because they were at school when this happened to them, but
then they attended a vigorous psychosocial clinic programme, and at
the end, they all wanted to go back to school. Now, they are ready to
go back to school", the UN official said.
According to the statement, another session was held for men and boys
of the communities to involve them in creating a safe space for the
girls to return to.
The male folks were said to have discussed ways to ensure that girls
are not abused and that when they come back they are fully integrated.
Also, a separate group of men were reportedly championing for the
rights of the girl child in terms of education and health.
Ndhlovu said, "The UN family has not forgotten the girls".
She added that restoring the dignity and integrity of the returning
schoolgirls is instrumental in reintegrating them back into a "safe
space" in society.
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