Port Harcourt, March, 11, 2026 (NAN) African Immigrants Resources Centre (AIRC), a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), based in the United States of America (USA), has empowered over 600 schoolgirls with sanitary pads and menstrual hygiene education in Rivers.
Mrs Chimezie Oji-Kalu, the Convener of the “Give a Girl a Pad (GAGAP) Initiative” a subsidiary programme of the AIRC, made the remark during a sensitization programme at the Community Secondary School, Amadi-Ama, Port Harcourt.
The programme was organized in commemoration of the 2026 International Women’s Day (IWD).
Oji-Kalu said that AIRC, with the IWD theme, “Give to Gain,” decided to distribute sanitary pads to school girls in Rivers, Lagos, lmo, and Abia states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
She said that the initiative was to gain back their confidence and dignity in the society and to address menstrual hygiene challenges faced by girls while breaking the stigma and misinformation surrounding menstruation.
‘’The programme was aimed at educating and boosting the confidence of young girls, also helping them achieve their dreams through proper menstrual hygiene knowledge.
“Many girls still miss school or feel ashamed due to lack of access to sanitary products or proper information about their bodies.
“This is why the ‘Give a Girl a Pad’ initiative has become a household name in schools to ensure that no girl feels embarrassed or unprepared because of her natural biological process,” she said.
Oji-Kalu noted that the programme did not focus only on the distribution of sanitary pads but also on education, awareness, dignity and empowerment to a girl child.
She urged the school girls to take the lessons from the sensitization programme seriously and share their knowledge with others.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of GAGAP Rivers Chapter, Mrs Dorris Nwakuna, said the initiative was designed to educate girls on menstrual hygiene before, during and after menstruation.
Nwakuna added that it was also designed to eradicate menstrual poverty, equip the girls with sanitary pads and the knowledge required to maintain proper hygiene and also to understand their roles in society.
She advised the beneficiaries of the sensitization and sanitary pads distribution exercise to ensure that they maintained proper hygiene during and after menstruation.
Dr Mina Wakama, the Principal of the Community Secondary School Junior, Amadi-Ama, appreciated the organizers for choosing the school for the programme.
Wakama expressed optimism that the initiative would positively impact the students and improve their understanding of menstrual hygiene.
Also, one of the teachers in the school, Mrs Gloria Ihieme, said the sensitization would help the students manage themselves better during their menstrual period.
Another teacher, Mrs Ibim Goodluck, described the distribution of the free sanitary pads as a commendable gesture.
She noted that some girl students lacked access to sanitary products and sometimes resorted to using tissue paper or cotton wool.
Goodluck also commended the organizers for encouraging the girls to speak out against abuse, noting that many children experienced abuse but were often afraid to report it.
Some students who benefited from the programme also expressed appreciation to the organizers for the education and sanitary pads.
Miss Anita Maduabuchi said she learnt the importance of maintaining proper hygiene during menstruation and keeping herself clean.
Another student who simply introduced herself as Dakara said the programme taught her the importance of speaking out and avoiding exploitation.
Miss Lily Briggs said the programme had boosted her confidence, and also pledged to encouraged other girls to keep clean and change their sanitary pads regularly. (NAN)
