OWAN WEST FIRST LADY CHAMPIONS MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AS “FLOW WITH CONFIDENCE” INITIATIVE ENGAGES SCHOOLGIRLS

OWAN WEST FIRST LADY CHAMPIONS MENSTRUAL HYGIENE AS “FLOW WITH CONFIDENCE” INITIATIVE ENGAGES SCHOOLGIRLS

The Office of the First Lady of Owan West Local Government Area has reaffirmed its commitment to the health, dignity and educational development of the girl child through the local launch of the Flow with Confidence menstrual hygiene initiative. The programme, held yesterday at the administrative headquarters of the Owan West Local Government Council, brought together schoolgirls, health professionals, women leaders and community stakeholders in a collective effort to ensure that no girl is compelled to miss school because she lacks access to menstrual pads or adequate menstrual health information.

The Flow with Confidence initiative is a national programme spearheaded by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON. It includes the donation of 370,000 disposable sanitary pads to schoolgirls across Nigeria’s 36 states, under the theme Empowering Schoolgirls Through Menstrual Hygiene. The initiative reflects a deliberate national focus on menstrual health as a fundamental component of girls’ education and overall well-being.

In Edo State, the programme enjoys the support of the First Lady, Her Excellency Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani, whose commitment to the welfare of women and girls has provided strong impetus for its implementation across the state’s local government areas.

The Owan West edition of the programme was chaired by Dr Mrs Isoken M. Aikpokpo, a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at ISTH and President-Elect of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter. In her address, Dr Mrs Aikpokpo expressed profound appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani for their sustained dedication to menstrual hygiene and the welfare of schoolgirls. She emphasised that no girl should be forced to stay away from school because of a lack of menstrual pads or a loss of confidence during menstruation.

The event featured an interactive session between Dr Mrs Aikpokpo, the schoolgirls and the health professionals present. The girls asked questions about menstrual health and received informed responses from relevant health experts. The session underscored the importance of breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation, promoting accurate health education and encouraging girls to participate confidently in their education without fear or shame.

The Special Guest at the occasion, Hon. Ikharo Juliana Ekhanorimen, Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Edo State on market women and former aspirant for the Edo State House of Assembly, Owan West Constituency, lent her voice to the call for greater awareness and support for menstrual hygiene among young girls.

Other dignitaries and participants included Mrs Benita Oluwaseun Ale, wife of the Executive Vice Chairman of Owan West, Hon. Mrs Angelina Aigbokhai, Secretary to the Local Government Mrs P. O. Unuigbkhai, the Principal of Uhomora Commercial Secondary School, who also served as one of the resource persons, women leaders, schoolgirls, health workers, wives of councillors, women support groups and representatives of other women’s organisations.

The programme concluded with a reaffirmation of the need for continued collaboration among government, schools, health professionals, parents and community stakeholders in supporting the health, dignity and educational development of the girl child. The Office of the First Lady of Owan West remains resolute in its commitment to initiatives that uplift the girl child and promote a healthier, more inclusive society.

SIGNED

COMR ILEVBARE DURO SYLVESTER

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY TO THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF
OWAN WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL.