DEPOWA Empowers Girl Child to End Period Poverty 

By Martha Obi, Abuja

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As part of commitment towards empowering girls to end period poverty in public schools in the federal Capital Territory, the President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association has today trained girls for the menstrual health and hygiene management and reusable pad in Junior Secondary School, Dei Dei, Abuja.

The President Mrs Oghogho Musa said that the training was in commemoration of the United Nations International Day of the Girl Child which is held the 11 October yearly.

According to her, this is in line with my vision which is to seal women and girls become productive contributors to family and society driven by a deep sense of values and hard working spirit.

 

She noted that this year theme: “Girl Vision for the Future Highlight Girls Rights and the Challenge They face.”

 

Hence the need for urgent action to support girls and help them reach their full potentials, she said.

According to her, the International Day of the girl Child serves as a reminder of the importance of empowering girls and ensuring their right and freedom.

 

“We celebrate the potential resilience and strength of girls worldwide. We recognise the obstacles they face from gender based violence, limited access to education and healthcare, but most importantly, we affirm our commitment to creating a world where girls can strive,” she added.

 

She urged them to be committed and avail yourself to learn.

 

She said, “To all  girls and women that their  you, your dreams are valid, their voices matters, their futures are bright for their   are change makers which are the leaders of tomorrow.”

She appreciated the school administration for being committed towards ensuring the girl child keeps adding value to the family and the society at large.

The Principal of the school, Mr. Abdulahi Lakoza applauded the DEPOWA President for her work towards humanity to help the girl child in period poverty.

 

He said that, “The school is a school of less privileged students.”


He noted that they have been longing for such visit from her and today, it is a reality that DEPOWA President who is also their  mother was in their midst today.

 

He also prayed for peace and prosperity of the DEPOWA President and the Association.

 

The Facilitator, Amara Ezediniru stressed that one of the reasons, or the major reason that brought them here today is to end period poverty.

 

According to her, they were told that children, girls are uncomfortable coming to school during their monthly flow adding that some of them even miss classes because they don’t have who to help them take care of their menstrual situation.

 

She said that, “They were told that the children here, a lot of them are from nonprivileged homes and they thought to come and identify with you because every girl child is important to them.”

She noted that they been here today was not just to give them pads but to  teach them about menstrual hygiene.

 

“We also want to teach you how to make reusable parts so that you can make for yourself and use them,  then you won’t have to miss school and you won’t have to be disadvantaged. We are here also to work with you, teach you, learn with you,” she added.

 

She stressed that they are expectant that at the end of the programme today, everybody will go home very happy.

 

“We are hopeful that what you will learn here today will not just be for yourself only, you will be empowered and so, as you practise, you can teach other people, you can even convert it to business,” she said.

 

The Chief Executive Officer of for the menstrual health and hygiene management and reusable pad, Mrs Tabitha Abimiku said that according to statistics, every day, 800 million young girls menstruating around the world and according to same statistics, 60% of girls and women in Africa do not have access to affordable menstrual hygiene products.

 

She asked students who can testify that getting a sanitary pad is a challenge for you which many of the girls testified.

 

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