Menstrual Hygiene: ECOWAS Holds Training of Trainers (TOT) in Benin Republic.
By Raymond Enoch
In a renewed commitment to promoting adolescent health and dignity, the ECOWAS Representation in Benin has concluded a series of Training of Trainers (TOT) sessions aimed at improving menstrual hygiene awareness and reproductive health education among young girls. The sessions, held from September 16 to 19, 2025, took place in the communes of Zè and Djidja as part of a broader initiative to support Benin’s efforts in promoting good personal hygiene practices and strengthening youth engagement with ECOWAS values.
Around twenty participants were trained during the sessions, equipping them with practical knowledge on reproductive health and menstrual hygiene management. These trainers are now tasked with cascading the training into secondary schools across the two municipalities, where they will facilitate awareness sessions and distribute essential hygiene kits to female students.
The project, which also seeks to foster closer ties between ECOWAS and the youth population, underscores the regional body’s dedication to enhancing the well-being and dignity of young girls, particularly in underserved communities. By empowering local trainers, ECOWAS aims to create a sustainable model of peer-led education that addresses stigma, promotes healthy practices, and builds a generation of informed young women.
The initiative is part of a broader campaign by ECOWAS to integrate gender-sensitive health policies into its community development framework, while also ensuring that the voices and needs of young girls are reflected in public health strategies across West Africa.
