By Gbenga Akingbule
First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu on Friday in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, launched a new initiative “Flow with Confidence” that will provide N2.5 Billion worth of disposable sanitary pads for schoolgirls accross Nigeria and equip them with requisite knowledge to improve their menstrual hygiene.
Gatekeepers News reports that Mrs Tinubu also launced Food Outreach Scheme under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI)’s Social Investment Scope, to provide food items to Persons with Disabilities and other vulnerable groups in order to support their families
Represented by the Wife of the Vice President, Hajja Nana Shettima , at the occasion held at the Multipurpose Hall of Government House, Maiduguri, the ” Flow With Confidence ” initiative according to the First Lady will immensely boost the confidence of school girls and ensure they don’t miss school during their menstrual cycle.
According to the First Lady “Flow with Confidence”, is a vital menstrual health intervention designed to empower school girls by promoting knowledge, dignity and confidence through improved menstrual hygiene.
The First lady said the programme was launched simultaneously In Borno, Ekiti,Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Kebbi and Lagos States. Other States will also be launching as soon as they get their supplies.
Mrs Tinubu revealed that “In today’s modern world, no girl should have to miss school because of her inability to afford sanitary products. It is unacceptable that our girls still 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 who attend resort to using unsafe and unhygienic alternatives, while others stay at home altogether, falling behind in their studies and, in some cases, eventually drop out of school. This trend must end, and this intervention, under the Education framework of the Renewed Hope Initiative is aimed at doing just that.
“We will be distributing one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to Three Hundred and Seventy Thousand (370,000) school girls in rural communities across the nation at the end of this programme. All States and the Federal Capital Territory will receive 10,000 packs each through the State First Ladies and RHI Coordinators. This is to support our girls in rural communities and those who are unable to afford sanitary pads.
“Today, I will be handing over 10,000 packs of disposable sanitary pads to the First Lady of Borno State for distribution to 10,000 deserving girls in rural communities across the State. Each beneficiary will receive a one-year supply of the pads.
“We chose disposable sanitary pads because it offers a simple, hygienic option that offers better health benefits for a woman’s reproductive well- being.
For us at the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), we believe that no girl should
ever have to choose between her dignity and her education.
“The success of Flow with Confidence programme 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-up and ensure these supplies get directly to deserving girls in our rural communities. The pads are not to be sold under any circumstance.”
