By Emma Elekwa
A group of alumni members of Federal Government Girls’ College Nkwelle Ezunaka in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State have distributed 5,000 sanitary pads to students and teachers of the school as part of efforts to promote menstrual hygiene and girl-child empowerment.
CoreTruth reports that the gesture was carried out by members of the Class of 1992 in conjunction with Grooming Endowment Trust (GET) during a visit to the school.
Speaking during the event, Deputy General Coordinator of C9, Dr Uche Umeh said the intervention formed part of the group’s annual corporate social responsibility aimed at giving back to their alma mater.
She said the Class of ’92, which comprised members from different parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Lagos, Abuja, South-East and South-South zones, had consistently supported the school through various projects.
According to her, the association had in the past provided a borehole, 60 dining hall benches, laptops for best graduating students, leadership training programmes and essay competitions with prizes.
“We always consult with the school management to identify their most pressing needs before embarking on any project.
“Because May 28 is marked globally as World Menstrual Hygiene Day, we decided to focus on empowering the girl-child with menstrual products and health education.
“There is what we call period poverty, where many girls cannot afford sanitary pads during menstruation.
“That is why we chose to distribute sanitary towels to them,” she said.
Health Talks
Umeh added that medical practitioners among the alumni members also delivered health talks.
“They talked on personal hygiene, menstrual hygiene and general health to boost the confidence and well-being of the students,” he said.
The team lead further said the group might also consider supporting the upgrading of the school’s toilet facilities as part of efforts to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene standards in the school.
Also speaking, Senior Programme Associate of Grooming Endowment Trust, Mr Chikezie Ugwu, said the project aligned with the organisation’s focus on health and education initiatives.
Ugwu said the organisation was established in 2020 to promote sustainable social initiatives.
“The programme is an opportunity to educate girls on proper menstrual hygiene while supporting the community,” he added.
Earlier, the Principal of the college, Mrs Cornelia Ukama, commended the alumni association for the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
Ukama said the project had helped to address issues surrounding menstrual hygiene while also promoting the dignity, confidence and academic stability of the students.
“By providing sanitary materials, you are not only meeting a basic need, but also breaking the silence and stigma that sometimes surround menstruation.
“You are educating, empowering and affirming our girls. You are telling them that their health matters, their dignity matters and their future matters,” she said.
FG’s AGILE Programme
The principal also highlighted efforts of the Federal Ministry of Education through the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment programme in promoting girl-child hygiene and education.
She appealed for the renovation and upgrading of hostel toilet facilities in the school to sustain proper hygiene practices among students.
