In her effort to promote menstrual hygiene and health awareness among girls of puberty age, Mrs. Tamunominini Makinde, the Wife of the Governor of Oyo sate, organized a special event tagged ‘A Day Out with the Girls of Oyo State: Your Menstrual Hygiene Matters.’
The program gathered 1,100 female students and their teachers from various secondary schools across the 33 local government areas of the state.
During the event, Mrs. Makinde emphasized the significance of personal hygiene and health during the menstrual cycle. She urged the young girls to embrace proper menstrual practices.
Her words: “We want you girls to be conscious of your health during your menstrual cycle and also cultivate the habit and culture of personal cleanliness, use appropriate menstrual products, change their menstrual products every four hours, wash your hands before and after handling any menstrual products, clean their genital areas with water to avoid irritation, infections, unwanted pregnancy, and untimely death.”
She stated that the primary goal of the event was to change the girls’ perspectives on menstruation and debunk any myths or stigmatization associated with this natural bodily process.
Mrs. Makinde called upon parents and teachers to be more caring and supportive in this regard, urging them to “break the culture of stigmatization, discrimination and make the girls see menstruation as natural and not an act to be ashamed of.”
Also addressing the girls, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Monilola Udoh stressed the importance of preparing young girls for womanhood and encouraging them to dismiss any societal taboos or prejudices linked to menstruation.
She said: “Menstruation is a natural and essential aspect of a woman’s life, and it is crucial to equip our girls with the right information and resources to ensure their well-being during this time.”
During the event, two students Achije Favour and Ajuwon Adeola, who spoke on behalf of other students, pledged to prioritize their hygiene, especially during their menstrual periods.
Achije Favor said, “After attending this event, I am more aware of the importance of maintaining good menstrual hygiene, and I will ensure to follow the advice given to us by Mrs. Makinde.”
Ajuwon Adeola added, “I used to feel embarrassed about discussing menstruation, but now I feel more confident and empowered.”
Also, the events also featured presentations of goody bags containing reusable pads, pants, deodorants, and bathing soaps to the students which were sponsored by the State Government and the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs who contributed to this initiative by providing the girls with 3,000 reusable pads.
Other guests present at the event included the wife of the deputy governor, Mrs Ajibola Ajibike Lawal, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Olusoji Adeyanju, the permanent secretary Ministry Of Education, Science, and Technology, Mr. Olusanjo Joel Adeniyi, commissioner designate, Hon. (Alhaja) Fausat Joke Sanni among others
