School girls in Oyo State on Monday received 10, 000 sanitary pads courtesy of the Renewed Hope Initiative under First Lady Oluremi Tinubu.
Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Mrs Tamunomini Makinde who represented the First Lady at the event stated that the lack of a common necessity like Sanitary Pads shouldn’t become a reason why a school girl will miss school.
While addressing beneficiaries drawn from the Thirty-three local government of the State, she explained that the donation was an empowerment for the girls whose knowledge, dignity, and confidence must be protected at all cost.
She said, “It is unacceptable that our girls continue to face significant challenges during their menstrual cycle, especially those in rural communities who miss school days every month because they cannot afford sanitary pads.
“Some of our girls are using unsafe and unhygienic alternatives, while others stay at home, falling behind in their studies, and in some cases even dropping out of school. This trend must end, and this intervention under the education framework of the Renewed Hope Initiative is aimed at doing so.
“We will be distributing disposable sanitary pads to 370,000 school girls in communities across the nation at the end of this program.
“All states and the federal capital territories will be receiving 10,000 pads each through the state’s First Lady and the Renewed Hope Initiative coordinator. This is to support our girls and those who are unable to afford sanitary pads.
“Today, I will be handing over 10,000 sanitary pads. As you can see, all the girls seated in this auditorium already have them, and this is the one plus some others that we cannot bring all here. We’ll be going to all 33 local government areas for distribution.
“So today, I will be handing over 10,000 pads of disposable sanitary pads for distribution. To 10,000 deserving girls across all your states. We choose disposable sanitary pads because they’re affordable.
“It is because it offers a simple, hygienic option that offers better health benefits for women’s reproductive well-being. For us at the Renewed Hope Initiative, we believe that no girl should ever have to choose between her dignity and her education. The success of Flow with Confidence programs depends on all of us.
“I want to especially appeal to the executive chairmen of local government areas, given your critical position as the arm of government closest to the people and your role in delivering essential services.
“It is crucial that you take ownership of this intervention. Scale it up and ensure these supplies get directly to the deserving girls in our rural communities.
“The pads are not to be sold under any circumstances. Now, the Renewed Hope Initiative spent a total of 2,550,297,150 Naira to procure these customized disposable sanitary pads from a local manufacturing company.
“Corporate organizations, our starters and agencies, and well-meaning Nigerians, to key into the Flow with Confidence program so that we can empower and reach as many girls as possible.
“To our traditional religious and community leaders, we cannot do this without your support. I urge you to monitor the distribution exercise in your communities and ensure to support our girls to grow into responsible and informed adults. To our dear students and beneficiaries, this is for you.
“All this is for you. Make the most of it and do not sell the pads. Stay in school, study hard, support one another, and never allow shame or stigma to take away your confidence.
“Use this opportunity to pursue your dreams boldly because you are the future of this nation. And I believe in you. I charge you all to commit to the dignity, well-being, and the future of every Nigerian girl.
“Today, let us keep this promise that our girls will always have the support they need to live, learn, thrive, and flow with confidence. At this juncture, to the glory of God and the benefits of our school’s wealth.”