By Ken Chiwendu
The wife of the President, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, on Thursday, flagged off the distribution of 370,000 sanitary pads worth N2,550,297,150 billion for school girls in rural communities across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Represented by the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo – Olu during the launch, under her Renewed Hope Initiative, “Flow with Confidence,” at the State House,Alausa, Ikeja,Mrs Tinubu noted that the programme was a vital menstrual health intervention designed to empower school girls, especially in the rural communities.
“In today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of her inability to afford sanitary products. It is unacceptable that our girls still continue to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural communities, who miss school days every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads.
“Some who attend schools resort to using unsafe and unhygienic alternatives, while others stay at home altogether, falling behind in their studies and, in some cases, eventually dropping out of school. This trend must end, and this intervention, under the education framework of the Renewed Hope Initiative, is aimed at doing just that.”
Tinubu added “We will be distributing a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 school girls in rural communities across the nation at the end of this programme.”
“All states and the Federal Capital Territory will receive 10,000 packs each through the state’s first ladies and the RHI coordinators. This is to support our girls in rural communities and those who are unable to afford sanitary pads.
“We chose disposable sanitary pads because they offer a simple, hygienic option that offers better health benefits for a woman’s reproductive well-being.
“For us at the Renewed Hope Initiative, we believe that no girl should ever have to choose between her dignity and her education.”
