WORLD MENSTRUAL HYGIENE DAY: LAGOS, NGO TO DISTRIBUTE 20,000 SANITARY PADS
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Lagos State Government, in partnership with a Non-Governmental Organisation, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), is set to distribute over 20,000 sanitary pads to female students across secondary schools in the state.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi disclosed this during a press briefing to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024.
Speaking during the briefing held at the Conference Room of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Dr. Ogunyemi emphasised that menstrual hygiene is a public health issue that affects the health, well-being, and dignity of women and girls globally and must be regarded as a fundamental right for women and adolescent girls.
Dr. Ogunyemi further explained that the 2024 World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration, themed: “Together for a Period Friendly World”, is an annual global day of awareness and action to promote good menstrual health among women and adolescent girls.
The Special Adviser added that the celebration aims to create a Lagos where the importance of menstrual hygiene is understood, and the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation are eradicated.
She noted that the event, held annually on May 28th, is significant because the “28” represents the average 28-day menstrual cycle, and the fifth month signifies an average of five days of menstrual flow.
Ogunyemi elaborated that the Lagos State Government, in collaboration with Vcare for Development Foundation, is commemorating the 2024 World Menstrual Hygiene Day with a week-long series of activities from May 29 to June 5.
According to her, these activities aim to reach at least 500,000 female students across the state with menstrual health information and distribute over 20,000 sanitary pads to female students in secondary schools.
She emphasised the state government’s commitment to ensuring that every menstruating female student has access to the necessary resources, information, and facilities to manage her menstruation hygienically.
She stressed that research indicates that many menstruating students stay home during their periods due to a lack of access to menstrual products and pain relief.
Speaking in the same vein, the Permanent Secretary, of Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye noted that the state government prioritises social inclusion, gender equality, and youth empowerment.
He added that Lagos continues to lead in implementing interventions to positively influence the menstrual health and hygiene of girls and women in the state.
He urged all stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and individuals, to join the state government in advancing menstrual hygiene to ensure that every woman and girl can manage her menstruation safely, hygienically, and with pride.
In his remarks, the National Programme Manager, VCDF, Mr. James Odey stated that his organization is keen on ensuring that adolescent girls remain in school as statistics shows that most out-of-school children are girls with issues around menstruation.
He, however, assured that Vcare for Development Foundation will not relent in its collaborative efforts in ensuring that adolescent girls and women have access to proper menstrual hygiene practices.
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