Mrs Soludo to supply free sanitary pads to Anambra schools for one year

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By Madu Obi

The wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, has promised to supply sanitary pads to girls in all Anambra schools, including schools of nursing, for one year.

Mrs Soludo, who spoke in Awka, while distributing 10,000 sanitary pads donated by Nigeria's first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, also used the occasion to launch pad banks in 300 secondary schools across the state.

According to the governor's wife, the distribution of the pads is part of efforts to promote the dignity and confidence of girls during their menstrual cycles, adding that the programme was aimed at addressing menstrual challenges that hinder girls’ education.

Mrs Soludo, who read Senator Tinubu's address at the well -atended ceremony said the 10,000 pads received by Anambra State, was part of the 370,000 disposable sanitary pads distributed to schoolgirls across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory under the first lady's Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The intervention, she added, involved the procurement of the customized sanitary pads at a total cost of N2,550,297,150 from a local manufacturer.

She said: “This menstrual health intervention is designed to tackle the challenges girls face during their periods. Period often causes them to fall behind in school or drop out entirely.

It is unacceptable that the girl-child, especially in rural communities, should continue to experience such barriers.

At RHI, we believe that girls should never have to choose between their dignity and their education. This intervention is a step towards ensuring that.

I therefore urge local government chairmen, who are closer to the communities, to take ownership of the programme and ensure that the pads reach the intended beneficiaries."

While encouraging schoolgirls to use the pads responsibly, she advised them to be confident and not let stigma stand in the way of their educational goals.

She informed the girls that "flowing" is not a death sentence, adding, "even if you are flowing, you should flow with confidence.

"This programmme goes beyond supplying sanitary pads; it's empowering girls to be confident in themselves", Mrs Soludo said.