Seun Shotunde, Abeokuta
A non governmental organization, Chosen Vessels Empowerment Foundation (CVEF) in partnership with the Office of the First Lady of Ogun State, has distributed bundles of sanitary pads to female students in over 26 public secondary schools in Ogun Communities.
The students drawn from schools in communities across Abeokuta North and South Local Councils includes: Baptist Girls College, Abeokuta Grammar School, Nawarudeen High School, Rev. Kuti Memorial Grammar School, Lisabi Grammar School, Government Technical Secondary School, Catholic Comprehensive High School among others.
Speaking, the Convener, Mrs Adebola Atoyebi, said yesterday that the distribution became necessary to ensure proper hygiene among teenage girl children during their monthly menstruation flow and educate them to achieve a pain-free menstrual cycle.
Atoyebi, who said that part of the foundation’s objectives was to mentor the girl child to the position of leadership, stressed that given out sanitary pads to the female students would help them manage the flow, keep clean and make their body system comfortable during the period.
She urged the girls to apply the lesson learnt from the Speaker, Dr. Rufiat Lemboye from Federal Medical Centre(FMC) Abeokuta, who spoke on “Adolescence Girls’ Health Mentorship Initiative” particularly on menstrual cycle during the time of their menses.
The Convener, who called on parents to guard their female child on hygienic monthly, cautioned them to have moral values and set boundaries with males so as to avoid being raped or involved in cases of Gender Based Violence(GBV) in the society.
“We distribute sanitary for teenage health, part of the lecture was on menstrual health. And al the tips they have been given they should adhere to it. You know there are so many things out there that young girls want to experiment today particularly because of their exposure to social media.”
“The doctors have advised them to keep simple, don’t things that will harm your bodies, don’t inject drugs, don’t put harm things into your bodies, you are a woman, don’t let people deceive you into doing things that you don’t want to do.”
“We are open to whatever can help a girl child, and one of the things that we shared today when we talked about strengthen and values and if you really you have the power to use you wouldn’t even find yourself in rape or other gender based violence issues. At times it is because we don’t set boundaries and draw the lines when somebody begins to touch you.” She added.
Also speaking, the First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, said that the foundation’s initiative mirrored the Renewed Hope Initiative(RHI) of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu where distribution of sanitary pads were recently carried out to all girls across the state.
“That exercise was about more than hygiene. It was about ensuring that no girl-child is forced to stay away from school or lose her dignity due to a natural biological process. By focusing on personal hygiene and adolescent health today, this programme reinforces those efforts, ensuring our girls have the practical support and knowledge to care for their bodies with dignity.” She said
