Hygiene: Youth corps member distributes sanitary pad to female students

A total of 887 female secondary school students in five select schools in kogi received sanitary pad to support their menstrual health and healthy living.

Supreme news reports that the girls were also sensitised on career guidance, personal development and menstrual hygiene.

The sanitary pad distribution, a pet programme and an initiative of Victoria Toluwaloju, a serving National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, also prioritised inclusivity by reaching students of the School of the Deaf, Lokoja, ensuring that hearing-impaired girls received education on menstrual hygiene and self-esteem.

The five benefitting schools include Crowther Memorial College, Government Girls’ Secondary School, Universal Basic Education Trinity Secondary School and Muslim Community Secondary School all in Lokoja Metropolis.

A sanitary pad, also known as a sanitary napkin or menstrual pad, is a thin pad made of absorbent material that absorbs the menstrual fluid during menstruation.

Toluwaloju explained that the initiative was inspired by her passion for the girl-child and in compliance with the NYSC motto: Service and Humility.

She said “I believe every girl can achieve more in life when given the right tools and opportunities to thrive.

“This project is designed to empower them with the right knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their future.

“On menstrual health, approximately 887 sanitary pads were distributed to students across the five schools visited.”

She added that the empowerment programme, which was part of the recently launched Future Forward project, is her personal Community Development Service (CDS) initiative.

According to her, it is aimed at equipping young girls with essential life skills, career guidance and menstrual health education to contribute to building a more informed and responsible society.

She said that the empowerment programme marks the completion of the first phase of the Future Forward project with the second phase set to engage eight public schools in Lokoja.

NAN reports that during the programme, key speakers included Deborah Agbonika, founder of Akoni Care Foundation (ACF), Katherine Odok, presenter at Grace FM Lokoja, who encouraged the students on their academic pursuit, finding mentors and never settle for less.

Others were Odumuyiwa Ibukun-Christianah, a youth corps member who educated the girls on menstrual hygiene and its importance for overall well-being, and Gift Isreal, who focused on supporting persons living with disabilities.

Some of the beneficiaries said that the sessions encouraged them to believe in themselves and not to relegate themselves to the background, stressing that young girls could thrive through basic hygiene practices and self-esteem building.