The C-Circle Research Foundation for Sustainable Health and Environment, an NGO, has donated sanitary pads to 200 school girls at Government Secondary School (GSS) Lifecamp, Abuja, on Tuesday.
The founder of the NGO, Dr Chimere Ohajinwa, stated that the intervention was part of activities to commemorate the 2024 World Menstrual Hygiene Day, themed ‘Period Friendly World.’
Ohajinwa emphasised the importance of promoting hygiene and breaking the stigma and misconceptions surrounding menstruation.
She said that Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed to highlight good menstrual hygiene practices, raise awareness about the importance of access to menstrual products, provide period education, and improve sanitation facilities.
She highlighted that the current economic conditions have made sanitary pads unaffordable for many young girls, leading them to use unhygienic alternatives.
She urged the government to do more to ensure the availability of sanitary pads, suggesting the establishment of pad banks to provide co
nstant access for those in needs.
‘We need to do more for our young girls. We are here today to educate the school girls on how to improve their hygiene especially when they are on their periods.
‘Also, we are educating young boys to support school girls whenever they see anything inappropriate to reduce sigma and misconceptions.
‘Menstruation is a normal biological process and that is why we must all reduce the stigma associated with it and work together to improve access to sanitary products.
‘We are worried about the fact that due to inflation in the economy, many people and young girls cannot afford to buy pads.
‘Sanitary pads that was selling around N500 and N600 last year is now over N1500, so it is worrisome’.
Ohajinwa said the donation was made possible through the help of a private company as part of its corporate social responsibility for school girls.
She said there was need to equip girls with accurate information and empower them to adopt healthy practices from young age, thereby, dispell
ing myths and ensuring their well-being.
The principal of the school, Mrs Irene Akerele, commended the organisation for prioritising the empowerment and well-being of girls.
She affirmed the school’s commitment to educating the students so they could pass on the knowledge to others, thereby improving menstrual hygiene awareness.
Aisha Aliyu, one of the students benefiting from the initiative, thanked the NGO for their efforts, saying that the knowledge session had empowered her and her peers to embrace menstruation without stigma or fear.
She stressed the importance of fostering a supportive environment where girls feel comfortable discussing menstrual health openly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024 is a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and promoting good menstrual hygiene practices for women and girls around the world.
It is observed on May 28 every year, as a reminder of the challenges faced by women and girls in managing their periods, particu
larly in low-income countries where access to clean water, sanitation, and hygienic products is limited.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria