FIRST LADY DISTRIBUTES 10,000 SANITARY PADS TO SCHOOLGIRLS IN ANAMBRA
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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has inaugurated a nationwide menstrual health initiative under her Renewed Hope Initiative, titled “Flow with Confidence,” with the distribution of 10,000 sanitary pad packs to adolescent girls from selected educational institutions across Anambra State.
This initiative, which was initially launched in October 2025, encompasses the allocation of 370,000 sanitary pad packs throughout all 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, with each state set to receive a quota of 10,000 packs.
The program is designed to empower schoolgirls, foster menstrual hygiene, and restore their dignity during their menstrual cycles with a one-year supply of sanitary pads.
During the flag-off ceremony in Anambra State on Wednesday, held at the Banquet Hall of the Light House in Awka, Tinubu was represented by the state’s First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, who also serves as the state Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Soludo, also the founder of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative, while delivering the First Lady’s address, revealed that Anambra received an allocation of 10,000 sanitary pads to be distributed fairly across the state, particularly in rural areas where many girls encounter difficulties in accessing such products.
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She characterized the program as a timely response to the difficulties faced by adolescent girls, particularly the stigma, mockery, and erosion of self-esteem that often accompany menstruation in educational settings.
According to her, the initiative aims to prevent girls from missing school due to their menstrual periods and to promote dignity and confidence by ensuring that they have access to menstrual hygiene products.
She stated, “The program is a timely intervention to tackle the challenges confronted by adolescent girls, especially the stigma, mockery, and diminished self-esteem that often accompany menstruation in schools.
“It is unjust for girls to miss school during their periods due to the inability to afford sanitary pads or the fear of stained clothing. Through this initiative, young girls will not only receive sanitary pads but also gain the confidence to pursue their education without interruption.
“This gesture encompasses health, dignity, and self-worth. We implore beneficiaries not to sell the pads but to utilize them appropriately. The project is designed to safeguard your health and avert infections associated with unhygienic alternatives such as rags or tissues.
“Approximately ₦2.5 billion was allocated to provide these sanitary pads from a locally manufactured source. To our girls, this is for you; make the most of it, remain in school, and never allow shame and stigma to undermine your confidence and future aspirations. ”
Additionally, at the launch, the representative for Onitsha North I Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Ifeoma Azikiwe, praised Senator Tinubu’s empathy and commitment to the welfare of women and girls nationwide.
Azikiwe highlighted that the initiative would help reduce school absenteeism among girls and protect their dignity.
“This is a commendable step towards ensuring menstrual health, mitigating the risk of infections, and enabling our girls to remain in school with assurance. ”
“We express our gratitude to the First Lady of Nigeria for providing this assistance to every state, and we are especially thankful for the allocation of 10,000 pads to Anambra,” she stated.
The occasion also included a presentation by a female health specialist, who urged the girls to regard menstruation not as a cause for embarrassment but as a natural occurrence and a symbol of resilience.
“Menstruation is not something to conceal or feel ashamed of. It is an integral aspect of womanhood. Utilize your sanitary pads properly, uphold good hygiene, and seek guidance from your mothers, sisters, or trusted adults whenever necessary.
“Most importantly, do not allow menstruation to hinder you from pursuing your aspirations,” she emphasized.
The assembly, which brought together state officials, delegates from the 21 local government areas, women’s organizations, and schoolgirls, highlighted the significance of menstrual health in supporting girls’ education.
In addition to the distributed pad packs, the adolescent girls also received monetary gifts from the Anambra State First Lady to cover their transportation expenses back to their respective locations.
The recipients expressed happiness and appreciation, noting that the pads would enable them to attend school consistently and enhance their confidence among peers.
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