Lagos State Government in partnership with a non-governmental organisation, Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF), is set to distribute over 20,000 sanitary pads to female students across secondary schools in the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Director, Public Affairs at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Tunbosun Ogunbanwo.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi disclosed this during a press briefing to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2024.
During the briefing held at the Conference Room of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Dr Ogunyemi emphasised that menstrual hygiene is a public health issue that affects the health, wellbeing, and dignity of women and girls globally and must be regarded as a fundamental right for women and adolescent girls.
Dr Ogunyemi further explained that the 2024 World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration, themed ‘Together for a Period Friendly World,’ is an annual global day of awareness and action to promote good menstrual health among women and adolescent girls.
Dr Ogunyemi further explained that the 2024 World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration, themed ‘Together for a Period Friendly World,’ is an annual global day of awareness and action to promote good menstrual health among women and adolescent girls.
She noted that the event, held annually on May 28, is significant because the ‘28’ represents the average 28-day menstrual cycle, and the 5th month signifies an average of five days of menstrual flow.
“The World Menstrual Hygiene Day is a global campaign uniting governments, NGOs, private organisations, individuals, and the media to promote good menstrual health and hygiene.
“The choice of May 28 is intentional and unique, symbolising the 28-day menstrual cycle and the five-day menstrual flow,” she said.
The special Adviser added that the celebration aims to create a Lagos where the importance of menstrual hygiene is understood, and the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation are eradicated.
According to her, these activities aim to reach at least 500,000 female students across the state with menstrual health information and distribute over 20,000 sanitary pads to female students in secondary schools.
She emphasised the state government’s commitment to ensuring that every menstruating female student has access to the necessary resources, information, and facilities to manage her menstruation hygienically.
“Stating that, research indicates that many menstruating students stay home during their periods due to a lack of access to menstrual products and pain relief.
