As part of efforts to improve menstrual hygiene for the girl child and curb gender-based violence in society, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) FCT Chapter has distributed free sanitary pads and writing materials to students of Junior Secondary School 1, Jabi, in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking at a one-day sensitization program organized by NAWOJ FCT in collaboration with Little Angel Pads in Abuja, the Chairperson of NAWOJ FCT, Comrade Bassey Ita Ikpang, called on government at all levels to initiate policies that would encourage free distribution and subsidize the high cost of sanitary towels for students and women in the country.
Comrade Bassey Ikpang, called on stakeholders to initiate policy to subsidize the high cost of sanitary towel production
She explained the reason behind the choice of the school, noting that the move aims to raise awareness about menstrual hygiene among teenage girls and advocate for the accessibility of sanitary products while encouraging students to speak out and build confidence.
“Public schools need it more. Some of them do things they don’t even know, that’s why we came here to let them understand that. You just have to speak out. It is your right to speak out. If condoms are free, let’s make menstrual pads free too.
“Sometimes when you go to some public places, you see condoms being displayed, but you have never seen pads displayed. Condoms are a choice, but menstruation is a natural occurrence that you cannot stop or interfere with, and its production is becoming more expensive every day, making it out of reach for our girls,” said Comrade Ikpang.
On the topic of gender-based violence, the Chairperson emphasized the importance of involving both boys and girls in equipping them with the right knowledge to curb the menace.
“When you are talking about gender-based violence, it’s not only for the girls. Boys are also violated. So, advocacy to end gender-based violence can’t be successful if you haven’t included the boys. They all need to know what to do and what they shouldn’t do, and the need to speak out on time.”
Earlier in her remarks, the Vice Principal of Junior Secondary School Jabi 1, Abuja, Rabiatu Abdullahi, commended NAWOJ FCT for their timely intervention and called on other women’s groups to emulate such gestures toward improving the hygiene of girl students. “We appreciate your coming. If others can also do such and invest in our girl child, the society will be a better place.”
Guest speakers, including the News Manager of Independent Television (ITV), Fransicar Ogar, and Naomi Okomudo of Abuja Royal Women Empowerment Initiatives, took turns to make their presentations to students on gender-based violence and menstrual hygiene. Questions were also entertained.
Some of the students and beneficiaries expressed joy and thanked NAWOJ FCT for their kind gestures and called on the government to make menstrual pads free for students. Some girls in the school lamented that, due to the high cost of sanitary towels, they are now using pieces of cloth or tissue paper and commended NAWOJ for their support.
Highlights of the event included the distribution of menstrual pads to all the girl students present, while the boys received exercise books.
