Group launches Sanitary Pad Scholarship Scheme

The girlchild is the incubator of human existence, and so, their plight must not be neglected.

So says participants at a
walk and sensitisation event, held in commemoration of 2021 Day of the Girl Child, in Lagos.

Educationist and Founder, Sidi Osho Foundation, a youth empowerment organisation, Professor Sidi Osho, who was the Special guest of the occassion who stated that girls must be supported in their dreams, noted that they were a critical part of development in all spheres of life.

“Girls have a voice, and they have shown loud and clear that they will speak loud and clear to communicate their intentions to the society” Professor Osho added

Speaking on Menstrual hygiene, Philanthropist Dr Benjamin Jebutu stated that there was need for awareness and provision of support for young girls, to prevent ignorance, which lead to adverse health issues.

“Everybody has a particular way their private area should be, and if it is distorted, there could be problems like infections which could lead to future consequences like difficulty in conceiving and preterm labour. Hence, not having an hygienic care of the area can affect the productive career of a woman” he said

Dr. Jebutu urged girls to take their health as a personal responsibility.

In a remark, the Curator of the National Museum, Lagos, Mrs Omotayo Adeboye, pointed out that such events will help reduce period poverty.

“Social poverty that is being experienced by school girls, where young girls cannot afford sanitary pads, so they use other means, some even use old clothes, so the Convener, Finke Treasure wants a change in that narrative ”

Convener of the event, and Executive Team Lead, Illuminate Nigeria Development Network, Mrs Funke Treasure-Durodola, said the initiative was to celebrate girls that are doing well in endeavours and campaign against discrimination and intervene in sexual abuse issues.

Mrs Treasure-Durodola pointed out that “According to a research, the Pandemic provided reality of extent of poverty, due to the lockdown, three in ten girls struggled to afford or access sanitary wares”

Girls from selected schools spoke on the theme for the year, ”My Voice, my future”

The event, which was held in collaboration with The National Museum, Lagos, also witnessed the launching of the Sanitary Pad Scholarship Scheme tagged 10kfor1+1 to school-aged girls.

There was also an exhibition of iconic women in Nigeria, as the students had access to the main gallery.