The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has officially launched the Flow with Confidence Sanitary Pad Initiative, a nationwide programme aimed at improving menstrual health and hygiene among schoolgirls.
The launch took place on Tuesday in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. Represented by the wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, the First Lady said the initiative is designed to empower girls through education and access to sanitary products.
She stressed that no girl should miss school because she cannot afford menstrual materials.
“It is unacceptable that our girls still face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle. Menstruation is natural, and it must never stand in the way of education, confidence, or self-worth,” she said.
According to her, the programme will provide a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 schoolgirls in rural communities across the country. Each state will receive 10,000 packs for distribution to beneficiaries.
She explained that disposable sanitary pads were selected because they offer a safer hygiene option for reproductive health. The intervention specifically targets girls in underserved and rural communities who are unable to afford sanitary products.
Addressing students at the event, Mrs Otti encouraged them to remain focused on their studies and not allow stigma or shame associated with menstruation to diminish their confidence.
Health experts at the event also emphasised the importance of proper menstrual hygiene management. Joy Okechukwu educated students on personal hygiene practices, urging open and informed discussions about menstrual health.
Dr Theodora Ngozika Igboaruka highlighted the roles of parents, schools, and healthcare providers in creating supportive environments for adolescent girls.
The Abia State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Maureen Aghukwa, described the initiative as a major step in addressing menstrual poverty. She noted that limited access to sanitary products has negatively affected school attendance and self-esteem among girls.
Similarly, the Commissioner for Health, Prof Enoch Ogbonnaya-Uche, underscored the public health benefits of proper menstrual hygiene, saying it is critical to preventing infections and protecting reproductive health.
The event concluded with the formal distribution of sanitary pads, reinforcing the shared commitment to safeguarding the dignity, health, and education of the Nigerian girl child.
