By Chris Chikelue
It is World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Thursday, May 28. To commemorate the occasion in Anambra State, the wife of the State Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo distributed over 25,000 packs of sanitary pads to schoolgirls selected from among rural communities in the state.
The distribution and event marking the Day, took place at the Banquet Hall, Light House, Awka.
According to Mrs. Soludo the free distribution of the pads was part of her Healthy Living With Nonye Initiative, which is aimed at enhancing the dignity and confidence of schoolgirls, particularly those from underserved communities.
“As we celebrate this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day, I stand before you not just as a mother, a woman, or the wife of the Governor of Anambra State but as an advocate for dignity, health, confidence, and the future of our children, especially girls.
“Menstruation is a natural part of life; it is not a curse. It is not a taboo, It is not something any girl should be ashamed of yet, across many communities, countless girls still suffer in silence because of stigma, poor hygiene education, lack of sanitary materials, and harmful cultural and social misconceptions.
“Some are isolated, mocked, restricted from certain activities, or made to feel unclean and inferior during their menstrual cycle. This should never be so.
“Today, I lend my voice strongly to the call for an end to every form of discrimination, stigma, and harmful practices against menstruating women and girls.
Expressing the importance in eschewing shame and humiliation which according to her is associated with menstruation especially among young women the wife of the governor said:
”we must replace shame with understanding, silence with education, and exclusion with compassion and support. Every girl deserves to experience her womanhood with dignity, confidence, and pride, not fear or humiliation.
“A healthy society begins with healthy families, and healthy families are built by informed, confident, and empowered women and girls.
“Through our Healthy Living Initiative, we have continued to promote cleanliness, proper hygiene, nutrition, physical wellness, and preventive healthcare across homes, communities and schools in Anambra State.
“Among the six cardinal pillars of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, hygiene, both personal and environmental, remains one of the most critical. This is because we understand that healthy habits formed early in life help to build healthier homes, healthier communities, and a healthier society.
“Through several interventions in schools across Anambra State, especially through our Healthy Living School Clubs, we have continued to educate and empower children on the necessity and benefits of proper hygiene.
“We are intentionally raising a generation of children who understand cleanliness, self-care, environmental responsibility, and healthy living practices.
“I am also particularly proud that through our movement, we have gone beyond advocacy to practical intervention. Today, our NGO has successfully established sanitary pad banks in over 350 schools across Anambra State, with periodic refilling based on needs and usage.”
Elaborating on the gains of her pet project initiative, she said, “so far, over 25,000 packs of sanitary pads have been distributed through this initiative to support our school girls.
“These pad banks have not only improved personal hygiene among young girls but have also restored confidence, reduced absenteeism, and created a more comfortable environment for learning and concentration in schools.
“For many girls, knowing that help is available during their menstrual cycle has removed fear, anxiety, and embarrassment from the classroom experience.
“This is the kind of society we must continue to build; one where no girl is forced to choose between her education and her biological reality.
“As a government and as compassionate citizens, we must continue to create safe spaces where girls can learn, ask questions freely, and receive proper support without fear or embarrassment.
While apportioning responsibilities, Mrs. Soludo encouraged parents to educate their daughters with love and openness in the matter of hygiene during the period of menstruation and for schools to sustain menstrual hygiene awareness combining it with the provision of supportive environments for the girls.
“I also call on communities, religious institutions, corporate organizations, and development partners to join hands in breaking the silence around menstruation.
“To our young girls in Anambra State, I say this clearly today: You are strong. You are valuable. You are beautifully created. Your dreams are valid, and nothing, not even your monthly cycle, should stop you from becoming the best version of yourselves.
“Let us continue to build an Anambra where every girl child grows with confidence, dignity, knowledge, and access to proper healthcare and hygiene”.
At the end of the day, packs of the sanitary pads were handed out to the students and the accompanying teachers.
Not less that 350 schools benefitted from the distribution.
Chris is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
