By Blessing Odega
About 1,072 girls from Government Secondary School, Rantya and Government Secondary School, Kufang have benefitted from Nissi pad-a-girl initiative in Jos, in a bid to promote menstrual hygiene.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that female students from Asas Islamic School Dadin-Kowa, also benefited from the free sanitary pad distribution.
Mrs Naomi Cishak, the convener of the initiative, on Tuesday in Jos, said that the project was aimed at breaking the stigma around menstruation and ensure that no girl missed school due to lack of access to sanitary pads.
“This effort is more than just providing hygiene products; it’s about restoring dignity, boosting confidence, and ensuring that young girls can stay in school during their menstrual cycles without shame or interruption,” she said.
Cishak said that menstrual hygiene remains a significant challenge for many schoolgirls adding that lack of access to sanitary pads often lead to absenteeism, poor academic performance and diminished self-esteem.
She added that the initiative was to directly address a barrier that quietly but deeply affect girls’ education and well-being.
“The distribution is to ease the plight of non-availability of sanitary towels during their periods,” she said.
Mrs Dinatu Dali, the Principal, Junior Government Secondary School, Kufang commended the convener of the initiative for the laudable gesture which she described as ‘material and knowledge based for the girl-child.’
Similarly, Mrs Rukaiya Ibrahim, the Vice-Principal, Asas Islamic School, Dadin-Kowa, said the initiative was a commendable step towards ensuring the beneficiaries had menstrual dignity and academic continuity.
A student of the school, who spoke with NAN, commended the convener for the kind gesture.
She said the session has empowered her with knowledge as it concerns her menstrual hygiene.
She said that she’s no longer frightened to see her period when it eventually starts.
NAN
UBO/CEO
