C’River, AHF partner to provide pads to underserved communities
By Christian Njoku
The Government of Cross River State on Wednesday in Calabar agreed to partner with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to provide sanitary pads to women and girls in underserved communities across the state.
This was disclosed by Mrs Edema Irom, Commissioner for Women Affairs, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during an engagement with four secondary schools in Cross River to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The event featured the distribution of sanitary pads to students of West African Peoples’ Institute (WAPI), Government Secondary School Lagos Street, Calabar, Henshaw Town Secondary School, and Government Secondary School Akim by AHF.
NAN reports that Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28 to emphasise the importance of breaking taboos, ensuring access to quality menstrual products, comprehensive period education, and period-friendly facilities.
The theme for the 2025 observance is “Together for a Period-Friendly World.”
Irom called on line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), civil society organisations, and communities to collaborate in ensuring that sanitary pads were provided in public places.
“The greatest challenge we have had as a ministry is the provision of pads. Even when pads are made available, another challenge is the lack of water and proper toilet facilities in schools.
“It will shock you to know that many women come to the ministry to ask for pads, and many girls resort to exchanging sex for as little as money for sanitary pads,” she said.”
The Advocacy Manager of AHF, Mr Steve Aborishade, said that menstruation goes beyond hygiene issues and includes the need for a conducive environment for girls to manage their periods comfortably.
He noted challenges such as lack of access to sanitary products, water, and the stigma and taboos associated with menstruation.
“We are pushing for a society where menstruation is not seen as a problem but as a normal part of life for young women and girls.
“We hope to end the era where girls use unsafe materials that cause health complications instead of sanitary towels,” Aborishade said.
Mrs Gertrude Egbole, Principal of WAPI, represented by Mrs Ofem Okoi, a teacher, thanked AHF for the engagement, adding that menstruation was taken seriously at the school.
One beneficiary, Miss Destiny Udoaka, an SS1 student of Henshaw Town Secondary School, expressed her happiness at receiving sanitary pads from AHF.
She also commended AHF for involving boys in the engagement, explaining that it helped them understood menstruation was natural and not shameful.
NAN reports that the AHF menstrual hygiene programme is also ongoing in Abuja and Benue State. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
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