By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Defence and Police Officer’s Wives Association (DEPOWA) on Monday, sensitised girls of adolescent age to menstrual health hygiene and distributed sanitary pads to them at Junior Secondary School Dei-Dei in Abuja.
The President of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Musa, said the event ‘Menstrual Health, Hygiene management and Reusable Pad-making training’ was organised to commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child 2024.
Musa said the initiative was informed by the need to support girls and help them reach their full potential.
She said the association also decided to introduce the making and use of reusable pad to the students to ease the burden of buying disposable types.
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.
“Therefore, as part of the commitment towards empowering girls to end period poverty in public schools in the federal Capital Territory, we are here today for the menstrual health and hygiene management and reusable pad-making training for all our lovely schoolgirls here today,” she said.
Musa added that the initiative was in line with her vision to see women and girls become productive contributors to family and society driven by a deep sense of values and hard working spirit.
She commended the girls for their enthusiasm towards learning how to help themselves in taking care of their menstrual health.
She, therefore, urged the students to be committed and learn, assuring them that their dreams were valid and their future were bright.
“You are change makers. You are the leaders of tomorrow,” she added.
The facilitator, Ms Amara Ezediniru, said the occasion was driven by the desire to end “period poverty” among girls.
She said that some girls often miss classes due to period of menstrual flow and inability to access sanitary pads.
“We were told that girls are uncomfortable coming to school during their monthly flow and how some of them even miss classes because they don’t have who to help them take care of their menstrual situation.
“We were told that the children here, a lot of them are from non-privileged homes and that is why we have come to identify with you.
“This is because every girl child is important to us not just to give you pads, but we want to teach you about menstrual hygiene.
“We also want to teach you how to make reusable sanitary pads 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,” she said.
The Principal of the School, Mr Abdullahi Lakuza, commended DEPOWA for the sensitisation and donation to the school girls, appealing to the association to assist the school in other areas of needs.
“We have been crying of so many things, but our mother is here to help us, not just about your menstrual period, but I’m sure she can even do much more,” he said.