By Justina Auta

About 500 secondary school girls in Abuja have received free sanitary towels to last for six months, as part of an initiative to tackle period poverty.

The funding for the initiative was raised through the RCA Women’s Run, organised by the Run Club Abuja to mark International Women’s Day (IWD), which is commemorated every March 8.

Stephanie Adamu, Secretary, RCA Women’s Run Organising Committee and Project Coordinator of the initiative told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), that 500 women participated in the run to secure the sanitary towels for the school girls.

Adamu said that the initiative was part of RCA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and encouraged other organisations to support similar charitable initiatives.

“This initiative is part of our CSR, so that we can help support the menstrual health of these young school girls,’’ she said.

Temitope Oguche, Founder of the Gracious Sacrificial Daughters Fellowship Foundation, a partner in the initiative, noted that the initiative will help girls focus on their education with proper hygiene, free from shame or stigma.

Michael Edoh, Principal of Junior Secondary School, Nyanya II, one of the beneficiary schools, expressed excitement over the gesture, calling it a relief for both the girls and their parents, especially in light of the current economic hardship.

Edoh appealed that such initiatives be extended to all students in the school and other schools in underprivileged communities.

“There had been instances when students suddenly started their periods during class, and teachers had to provide sanitary towels when none were available,’’ she said.

Zainab Ibrahim, a beneficiary from Government Secondary School Garki, expressed gratitude for the initiative, explaining that her parents usually struggle to buy sanitary towels for her and two siblings.

She added that the donation would provide a welcome relief, allowing her family to use their resources for other essential needs.

Another beneficiary, Blessing Udeh, also expressed her appreciation for the gesture, and called for the initiative to be extended across Abuja so that more girls could benefit.

NAN reports that other schools in Abuja that benefited from the distribution of the sanitary towels include; GSS Maitama, GSS Jabi and GSS Gwarimpa. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Muhyideen Jimoh