The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, launched the distribution of 370,000 sanitary pads valued at N2,550,297,150 billion for female students in remote areas across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, on Thursday.
During the launch, under her Renewed Hope Initiative, "Flow with Confidence," Remi, who was represented by the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, stated that the program is a key menstrual health initiative aimed at supporting female students, particularly in rural areas.
The opening ceremony was held at the State House, Alausa, Ikeja, with schoolgirls and government officials present.
The initiative was also launched on Thursday in Borno, Cross River, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi, and Lagos states. It is anticipated that additional states will follow suit once they receive their supplies.
The expensive nature of sanitary products, combined with financial struggles and poverty, could put young girls at risk of infections and potential infertility.
Last December, Enyia Chiamaka, the founder of HopeForHer Humanitarian Foundation, who offers education on menstrual hygiene, shared with The PUNCH how she used rags and tissue paper during her teenage years to manage her period.
She observed that employing improper menstrual products resulted in infections, which were expensive to manage, an encounter that inspired her to tackle the broader challenges related to menstrual health.
Remi, whose statement was shared at the Thursday gathering by Sanwo-Olu's wife, stated, "In today's contemporary society, no young woman should be forced to skip school due to her inability to purchase sanitary products. It is intolerable that our girls still encounter substantial difficulties during their menstrual periods, particularly those in rural areas, who regularly miss classes each month because they cannot afford sanitary pads."
Some students attending schools turn to unsafe and unclean alternatives, while others remain at home, causing them to fall behind in their education and, in certain instances, ultimately leaving school. This pattern needs to stop, and this initiative, within the education structure of the Renewed Hope Initiative, is designed to achieve exactly that.
She stated, "We plan to provide a one-year stock of single-use sanitary pads to 370,000 female students in remote areas throughout the country by the conclusion of this initiative."
All states and the Federal Capital Territory will each get 10,000 packs via the first ladies of the states and the RHI coordinators. This initiative aims to assist our girls in rural areas and those who cannot afford sanitary pads.
We opted for single-use sanitary pads as they provide a straightforward and clean solution, offering enhanced health advantages for a woman's reproductive health.
At the Renewed Hope Initiative, we hold the conviction that no girl should ever be forced to decide between her self-respect and her schooling.
In his opening speech, Lagos State's Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Jamiu Alli-Balogun, stated that the initiative highlighted the First Lady's focus on girls, particularly at the local level.
Alli-Balogun, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Abisola Adegbite, mentioned that in the past, it was difficult for girls to comprehend their menstrual cycles.
The Commissioner mentioned that the event highlighted the importance given to the education of young girls.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Posting Komentar