By LUKMAN GARBA, Bauchi
Ekemini Inyang Foundation, founded by Dr. Ekemini Inyang flagged off its ‘Pad A Child Campaign’ aimed at training and supporting a million rural women with sanitary pads.
The initiative followed a research finding that revealed that not all girl child have access to menstrual kits due to hike in the price of sanitary pads, lack of education on proper menstrual hygiene, among others.
It was gathered that some locals use cotton wool, pieces of clothes and toilet tissues, which were found to personal unhygienic.
The campaign was a project undertaken by the foundation to reduce the attendant health risks associated with improper use of menstrual pads as well as the use of unhygienic materials among less privileged individuals in the society.
Dr. Ekemini Inyang noted that due to the economic situation in the country, young girls over Nigerian rural communities have difficulty accessing proper menstrual kit.
She added that their health is at risk and they are prone to menstrual complications amid financial constraints as poor menstrual hygiene posses as a great challenge to the girls.
The foundation at the weekend supported over 150 women in Nasarawa village with sanitary pads.
The lead coordinator, who is also the Bauchi state coordinator, commended the people of Nasarawa village for welcoming them and giving them cooperation through out the project, saying “the good people of Nasarawa village gave us maximum cooperation and we explained to the girls the importance of using sanitary pads and how to keep themselves clean when they see their monthly period”.
She noted that after the enlightenment, the pads were freely given to them, adding that “they were all happy for the support we gave.”
The beneficiaries thanked and appreciated the National Convener of the Foundation Amb, Dr Ekemini Inyang for choosing their village and supporting them with the sanitary pads.