Engineer Tamunominini Makinde, Wife of Oyo state governor, on Thursday, held an interactive session with girls from schools across the state sensitizing them on menstrual hygiene.
She said that the program was organized for the girls to be aware of the essence of menstrual hygiene and also to know that menstruation is a normal occurrence.
Makinde encouraged parents, guardians and teachers to collaborate and ensure that the myth and silence surrounding menstruation and challenges are broken.
She also told female teachers that it is their responsibility to protect the girls child and break the culture of silent surrounding menstruation within the school environment.
She urged them ensure they assist and support the girls by listening to them when they wish to discuss their fears about menstruation and other issues.
Her words: “Always use hygienic and sanitary materials whenever you are on your period. Stay away from dirty and unhygienic menstrual products so as to avoid infection and other diseases that can be contracted from using unhygienic menstrual products.
“Female teachers should know that it is their responsibility to protect the girls and break the culture of silence around menstruation within the school environment.
“It is your duty to assist and support these girls, draw them close and give them the advice to guide them through their menstrual period so that they can feel comfortable among their male colleagues and teachers.”
Earlier in his welcome address, the commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Abiodun Abdu-Roheem Abdul Rahman, encouraged teachers to imbibed Makinde’s wife spirit of motherhood and love, adding that the girls are the future of tomorrow which should be handled with care.
He said the girls child needed support in actualizing their dreams so that the myth that the end of the girl child is the kitchen will be erased.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Mrs Christianah Abioye and her counterpart in Ministry of Women Affairs and social inclusion, Mrs Grace Oderinde in their separate remarks, urged the girls to always confide in their female teachers and their mothers whenever they are feeling severe pain surrounding their menstrual period for proper guidance.
They maintained that abstinence from sex is the only ways for the girls to achieved their dream in life, urging them to always remain clean and hygienic during and after their menstruation.
They also advised the girls to be friend of their mothers and urging the mothers to get closer, show love and care to their girls child noting that misconception surrounding menstrual period will not lead to negative in the lives of the girl child.
Meanwhile, two of the students, Oluwadamilola Adedayo from IMG Grammar School Ibadan and Benedicta Bilewuomo from Progressive Government Grammar School, Tede, thanked the First Lady for the love and support.
They promised to prioritize their hygiene, especially during their period.
The students received menstrual sanitary packs from the governor’s wife.
Some of the dignitaries at the event were the Head of Service, Alhaja Amidat Agboola, Director General of Due Process, Ms Tara Adefowope, Commissioner for Women Affairs and social inclusion, Alhaja Kafilat Olayiwola, Commissioner for Special duties, Alhaja Faosat Sanni, and Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bode Ladipo among others.
