Foundation distributes 400 sanitary pads to students

On May 31, 2023

The Helpline Foundation for the Needy in Abuja, has distributed sanitary pads to more than 400 female students and donated them to the school dispensary. Making the donation at Government Girls’ Science Secondary School, Kuje, Abuja, over the weekend, President of the Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu said that one menstrual hygiene kit containing an ample amount of pads each was distributed to the female students and proper education in commemoration of this year’s world Menstrual Hygiene Day, usually celebrated on 28th May.

Represented by the Foundation’s Research Officer, Itodo Ojonoka Felicia, Ahmadu stated that the outing was to promote menstrual health awareness, empower young students, and ensure they have access to menstrual hygiene products.

According to her, prior to the distribution exercise, her team conducted research on menstrual hygiene, engaged with stakeholders and assessed the needs of the students and the school. She explained that the school was known for having a significant number of female students, with limited resources, before making available an appropriate quantity and type of menstrual hygiene products required.

The Foundation President also disclosed that the Non-governmental Organization organized an interactive session with the students, where discussions on menstrual health and hygiene practices and proper use of pads were carried out, including debunking of common myths and misconceptions about the menstrual cycle.

She revealed that the students actively participated in the interactive session, sharing their experiences and concerns and asking questions for clarification. She stressed: “We gathered that poor menstrual hygiene is caused by a lack of education, persisting taboos, stigma, limited access to hygienic menstrual products and poor sanitation,” she added.

Wumi/Tribune