In her commitment to promote good menstrual health and hygiene practices, Wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Patience Umo Eno has facilitated the distribution of sanitary pads to hundreds of girls in select Public Secondary Schools across the three Senatorial Districts in the State.
Celebrating the 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day on Tuesday May 28 with the students of Girls’ High School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket; Goretti Girls’ Secondary Commercial School, Ikot Ekpene and Union Secondary School, Ibiaku, Ibiono Ibom; Pastor Patience Eno said it was pertinent to equip the girls with proper period education and sanitary pads in order to prevent infections.
The Governor’s wife who was represented by her Aide and member of her Golden Initiative For All – GIFA team, Mrs. Ann Abraham, stated that the observance of the day is in tandem with GIFA’s school Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme targeted at promoting safe WASH practices to prevent the spread of diseases.
The First Lady reiterated that access to sanitary pads to manage menstruation, will not only decrease the risk of infections that might pose as infertility challenges in future, but also dismantle barriers to education, hence the distribution of sanitary pads to boost their confidence and reduce the shame and stigma associated with monthly periods.
Giving a talk on menstrual hygiene, the Public Relations Officer of the Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Dr. Rhoda Peter said menstruation is a thing of pride and a pathway to adulthood. She encouraged the girls to care for themselves, be intentional about their body and well-being as well as practice proper personal menstrual hygiene and disposal.
Dr Peter noted that from the first menstrual flow – menarche, every girl is expected to observe good menstrual health and hygienic practices to prevent infections, reduce odours and help them stay comfortable during their period.
The Principals and students of the Schools visited applauded the Governor’s Wife, Pastor Patience Eno for identifying their schools as beneficiaries of the menstrual hygiene kits and guidance on proper management of menstrual hygiene. They also praised the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno for the construction of the road that has provided access to the Goretti Girls’ Commercial Secondary School, Ikot Ekpene.
Goodwill messages were received from Stakeholders in the three Local Government Areas visited, including the Wife of the Paramount Ruler of Eket, Obongawan Mandu Abia, Wife of the member representing Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Pastor Idongesit Out, Wife of the transition Chairman Ikot Ekpene, Mrs Utibe John and Dr Eno Antiaobong Ekong who extended appreciation to the Governor’s wife, Pastor Patience Umo for her motherly support in celebrating the Menstrual Hygiene Day in the schools.
The Senior Prefects of the benefiting Schools, Miss Bright Essien, Miss Inimfon Out and Miss Mkpouto Akaninyene Edet thanked the Governor’s wife for the choice of their schools for the commemoration of the 2024 Menstrual Hygiene Day and prayed God to bless the wife of the Governor and her family.
Highlights of the celebration was the presentation of Sanitary packs to the girls who left the different venues informed of best practices in menstrual hygiene and overall wellness.
