Wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has warned against stigmatising girls during their menstrual cycle.
She said girls should not be isolated, mocked or excluded because of menstruation.
Mrs Soludo spoke during an event organised to mark this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day in Awka. The event was attended by female secondary school students and members of her NGO, Healthy Living Ambassadors.
She encouraged girls not to feel ashamed about menstruation, describing it as a natural part of life.
“Menstruation is a natural part of life. It is not a curse. It is not a taboo. It is not something any girl should be ashamed of,” she said.
She said many girls still suffer because of poor hygiene education, lack of sanitary materials and harmful cultural beliefs.
“Some are isolated, mocked, restricted from certain activities, or made to feel unclean and inferior during their menstrual cycle. This should never be so,” she added.
Mrs Soludo said society must replace shame with understanding and support for girls.
She also stressed the need for healthy living, saying healthy families are built by informed and confident women and girls.
According to her, the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative has established sanitary pad banks in more than 350 schools across Anambra State.
She added that over 25,000 packs of sanitary pads had also been distributed to support schoolgirls in the state.
David-Chyddy Eleke
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