ASHENEWS reports that the Special Adviser on Print Media to the Niger state Governor, Aisha Wakaso has lamented over the current economic crisis which has made it difficult for young girls to be able to access sanitary pads at affordable rate.
To this end, Wakaso called on well meaning individuals and organizations to reach out to girls of school age in order to make sanitary pads accessible to them.
Speaking during a Menstrual Hygiene Sensitization campaign and distribution of pads to female students of Zarumai Model School in Minna, Wakaso lamented that majority of girls still lack sanitary pads even in the urban areas adding that the use of wrappers, clothes and tissues are unhygienic for the girls.
She said that the government needs to make Menstrual Hygiene a priority alongside it’s sexual reproduction campaigns while organizations can take it up as their corporate social responsibility in schools around where they are located.
The Special Adviser sensitized the girls about what menstruation is, how it comes about, how to maintain hygiene during their period, how to take care of menstrual cramps, proper feeding habits and proper disposal of the sanitary pads.
She also cautioned other girls from making fun of their mates when they get stained urging them to always be their sister’s keeper by helping them out whenever they have difficulties during their period.
“Do not laugh at other girls when they get stained. Be your sister’s keeper. Having your period is nature and should not be something to be ashamed or hide about. Try to always give a helping hand to someone who is having challenges during her period.”
The Head Girl of the school appreciated Wakaso for the lecture and the distribution of sanitary pads saying that they will take note of the lectures and work at imbibing it.
Over 100 female students benefitted from the free sanitary pads distributed at the end of the campaign.
