The African Immigrants Resources Centre has distributed sanitary pads to over 400 students of the Egbu Girls School, Owerri.
The centre distributed the pads in Owerri through its subsidiary, the Give A Girl A Pad (GAGAP) project, as part of activities marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
While giving out the free pads, GAGAP convener Mrs Chimezie Oji-Kalu said that the initiative, sponsored by the Egbu Girls’ Old Girls Association (EGOGA) of 1991, was part of the centre’s efforts to cater to the needs of the girl child.
Oji-Kalu, represented by the GAGAP Coordinator in Imo, Mrs Winifred Ijeaku, said that among other things, the initiative was aimed at helping young girls avoid the mistakes of the past in the area of menstrual hygiene.
She said that with the pads, problems such as the spread of diseases and low self-esteem resulting from poor hygiene could be avoided.
She also thanked Mrs Ijeoma Akujobi-Emetuche, Secretary of the EGOGA 1991 set, for being a true friend and leading the project’s sponsorship.
“This is our little way of giving value to the girl child, restoring her dignity and giving back to society.
“Our vision is to eliminate period poverty and progressively, we will get there”, she enthused.
She called on the government at various levels and well-spirited Nigerians to support the GAGAP initiative to enable the Centre achieve its objectives.
Speaking, the EGOGA President, 1991 set, Dr Ugomma Ogbonnaya, who currently works with the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, said that the association was proud to identify with GAGAP, as role models for the students.
One of the students, Mrs Queenesther Asonye, expressed gratitude for the free pads and health advice, and prayed for God’s blessings.
