Group seeks more campaign on menstrual hygiene in schools

A NGO, Improved Child Education in Africa, has called on wealthy individuals, charitable organisations and religious institutions to embark on aggressive advocacy campaigns in primary and secondary schools on menstrual hygiene and climate change.

Ms Queen Solomon, the Executive Director of the NGO gave the advice while distributing sanitary Pads and writing materials to Pupils of Government Junior Secondary School,(GJSS) Apo Legislative Quarters, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Queen Solomon said the aim of the event was to enable girls have sound knowledge on how to live a better life, check outbreak of diseases and prevent unwanted pregnancies.

She said that most challenges facing girls in the society was how to manage themselves during menstrual period.

She also appealed to government to ensure functional infrastructure in all public schools.

The executive director pledged to carry the campaign to all schools across the country to compliment government’s effort at ensuring clean environment and improve girl child education in the country.

“We are here today to educate students on menstrual hygiene. Girls need to understand that good hygiene is necessary and paramount.

“We will continue to advocate for this and ensure all the six geopolitical zones in FCT is reached, “she said.

Speaking, the Head Girl of the School, Miss Rejoice Chukwuka- Charles said that the campaign provided ample opportunity for girls in the school to ask questions on best ways to manage themselves during the menstrual period.

She said “knowledge impacted on the girls will go a long way in encouraging and building a better future for the younger generation.

In her goodwill message, Mrs Rebecca Alaku, Chief Education Officer, Universal Basic Education Commission,(UBEC) said that provision of writing materials and the sanitary pads would encourage young girls and increase child enrollment in FCT schools.

Also, the Vice Principal Administration of the school, Mrs Felicia Gyaube expressed gratitude to the philanthropist for considering the school in her Pet Project.

Gyaube called on parents not to shy away from their responsibility of educating their girls on effective management of sanitary pads.

The Founder, doubled as the Executive Director of the group, Queen Tracy Solomon is the 2023 International winner.

The campaign also featured talks on the need to avoid violence especially fighting between Students of different schools.

Over 3,000 exercise books, 500 sanitary pads and other instructional materials were given to the pupils.