Ending Period Poverty by Supporting Adolescent Girls With Free Menstrual Pad
To commemorate the 2021 menstrual hygiene Day, CYDI carried out a sensitization programme on menstrual hygiene management in Three Secondary Schools, in Imo State namely: Imo Girls Secondary School Okigwe Road, Owerri City Secondary School and Girls Secondary School, Ikenegbu. At the event, Students of Peer Educators Health Club whom CYDI have been training on Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) spoke to their fellow students on MHM while CYDI stayed by the corner to observe and respond to some difficult questions asked by the students. The activity was held during the weekly Thursday Moral Instruction of the Students (Thursday 8th July 2021) and during the event, the students asked questions as it relates to MHM and responses were given to their questions.
The highlight of the event was a donation of Three Hundred and Twelve (312) pieces of Sanitary pads to the three Schools and each school received One Hundred and Four (104) Pieces and specifically handed over to the school matron of The Peer Educators Health Club on behalf of students who can’t afford sanitary pad letting them know that they can walk up to their teachers anytime they are in need for a sanitary pad.
During an interview session with CYDI Media Team, some of the Students and Teachers noted that they are glad that such a kind gesture was extended to their School and this will ensure that students do not miss school anymore when they are on their menstrual period. It was noted that female Students misses school 4 – 7 times on a Monthly basis due to a lack of Menstrual sanitary products in their school.
At Owerri City School which is a mixed school, the Students noted that the sensitization activity will help to enlighten the boys to learn that the Menstrual Period is a natural occurrence and there is no need to stigmatize any female who is menstruating.
This event was supported by some philanthropists from the United Kingdom (UK) and the fund-raising effort was headed by Ogechi Okeke.
The list of the donors are as follows:
1) Chinwenolu (Nigerian born)
2)Lillian Adeyemi (Nigerian born)
3) Kemi Essel (Nigerian born)
4) Felicia Abiola-Daniels (Nigerian born)
5) Kemi Essel (Nigerian born)
6)Omowunmi O. (Nigerian born)
7) Bukola Anney (Nigerian born)
8) Sabrina Roman (Afrocaribbean born)
9) Laura Ekweonu (Nigerian born)
10) Ese Goodness (Nigerian born)
Help CYDI to raise Funds to support 10,000 Adolescent Girls from 10 Secondary Schools who cannot afford menstrual Pad in Imo State, Nigeria