About 1,000 female students in secondary schools in Calabar, Cross River State, have received sanitary pads as part of an initiative aimed at improving menstrual hygiene and ensuring that girls do not miss school during their menstrual periods.

The outreach was organised by the socio-political group Cross River Jewels to mark International Women’s Day and was supported by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central Senatorial District.

According to organisers, each beneficiary received sanitary products expected to last for about three months, helping reduce the financial burden many families face in providing menstrual hygiene materials for adolescent girls.

Schools That Benefited

Students from five public secondary schools in Calabar participated in the programme. These include:

Government Secondary School Barracks Road
Government Secondary School State Housing
Government Technical School Mayne Avenue
Government Secondary School TTC Ikot Ansa
Government Secondary School Atu

The distribution was supervised by the Director-General of Cross River Jewels, Precious Besong, who led members of the organisation during the exercise.

Supporting Girls’ Education

Organisers explained that the project was designed to address the financial and emotional challenges girls face during menstruation, particularly in communities where sanitary products remain unaffordable.

The intervention aims to prevent situations where girls miss classes or feel embarrassed in school due to a lack of basic hygiene materials.

In addition to the distribution of sanitary pads, the programme included educational sessions on personal hygiene and reproductive health. Facilitators spoke with students about menstrual hygiene management, self-confidence, and the importance of staying committed to their academic goals.

Students were also encouraged to reject stigma surrounding menstruation and focus on their education despite the natural challenges of adolescence.

Support Beyond State Boundaries

The programme gained additional support after Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan reportedly provided financial assistance to the organisers during the planning stage.

Speaking after the event, Besong expressed appreciation for the support, noting that the positive response from the students demonstrated the importance of such interventions.

She explained that the sanitary pad distribution has become an annual initiative of Cross River Jewels, aimed at empowering girls and supporting their education.

Besong also praised the senator for supporting a project outside her home state, describing the gesture as a demonstration of commitment to the welfare of Nigerian girls regardless of location.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the organisers, saying the support would help them attend school regularly and focus more on their studies without worrying about menstrual hygiene needs.

Cross River Jewels said the programme forms part of its broader campaign to promote the welfare, dignity, and empowerment of young girls, emphasising that no student should miss school because she cannot afford sanitary products.

The organisation pledged to continue expanding the initiative to reach more schools and communities across the state in the coming years.