AS THE WORLD CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR MENSTRUAL HYGIENE 2021, HER EXCELLENCY DR ZAINAB SHINKAFI BAGUDU DISTRIBUTES SANITARY PADS TO FEMALE STUDENTS

28th of May is set aside by the United Nations to observe International Day for Menstrual Hygiene. The day represents the average menstrual cycle length and period days for most women. (Every 28 days for 5days).

This year, the advocacy theme was: “Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health”. It aims to change the social stigma and gender inequity associated with menstruation.
1 in 8 girls do not have access to sanitary products in Nigeria and this lack is directly linked to school dropout.

As in previous years and in her continued effort to improve menstrual health and encourage girls to stay in school, the First lady Dr Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu organized a Menstrual Hygiene, Cancer and Covid19 sensitization program to mark in GGSS Bunza, Kebbi state and Kuchingoro Secondary school in FCT Abuja.

Dr Bagudu has been a long advocate for improving access to menstrual hygiene and ramping up local production. Subsequently, Kebbi state has an MOU with multinational Procter and Gamble through which many laudable programs on Immunization and menstrual hygiene have been carried out.

Representing her in Kebbi, The ES of Kebbi State Secondary Schools Management Board SSMB, Haj Asmau Alkali, thanked Her Excellency for her efforts concerning the schoolgirls and the board. She admonished the schoolgirls to maintain good hygiene and a good attitude. Haj Asmau also spoke to the girls on rape GBV and how to protect themselves.

Nurse Hadiza Kola gave a talk on menstrual hygiene and the use of sanitary pads. She used the opportunity to create awareness on the two prevalent Cancers among women: breast and cervical cancer. She also demonstrated the effective method of using pads as well as the method of checking the breasts for lumps.

Likewise, Muktasar Alkali spoke to the girls on Covid 19 and HPV highlighting and ongoing efforts to increase immunization coverage.

The school’s principal, Hajiya Kulu Yusuf Fakai thanked the First lady for the honour of bringing the sensitization to the school. She thanked the Foundation for the education and gifts.

Similarly, the Head Girl of the school, Zahrau Abubakar Zaki she thanked the Governor of Kebbi state and his wife for their continued support to the school.

The team distributed the Hygiene packs consisting of Always sanitary pads, soaps, stationery as well as some food items to the school girls. The program is co-sponsored by Procter and Gamble and Medicaid Foundation.

Muktar Bagudo
SSA
Office of the First Lady
Kebbi State
28th May 2021