AHF Collaborates with A’Ibom Govt on Menstrual Health of School Girls

By Nelson Utip

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is partnering with The Akwa Ibom State government in improving the menstrual health of school girls in the state, The Advocacy and Marketing Manager of the Foundation Mr Steve Aborisade stated this in an event to mark The International Day of the girl child in the state recently.
Mr. Aborishade confirmed that The AHF would collaborate with The State Government to establish a sanitary pad bank to be located at Aka Community Secondary School Uyo.
At the occasion, Mr. Aborishade said ”In AHF, we take issues relating to women and girls seriously, we want to play a part in safeguarding the menstrual health of schoolgirls in the state. ‘It is important for schoolgirls to have access to sanitary pads, disposal units and clean water,”
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Health, Dr Ini Adiakpam, in her speech on the occasion said the Akwa Ibom State Government pays premium attention to the education and welfare of the girl child.
Dr. Adiakpan said the state government is prepared to collaborate with credible stakeholders to create awareness on their rights in the society.
The commissioner called on parents and school authorities to take the welfare and upbringing of the girl in the state seriously . To the girls she said ”And for you girls, what you know is what makes you. Take your studies seriously and avoid unnecessary emotional distractions. You are the future of the society, endeavour to improve the content in you, grow up to be a woman whose voice can be heard,”
The Guest Speaker of the occasion, Mrs Mfon Akpan, admonished the schoolgirls in the state on the advantages of maintaining healthy menstrual hygiene in their own interest.
In the lecture titled, Comprehensive Health Education and Menstrual Health Management, Akpan urged schoolgirls to indulge in safe menstrual health practices.
Dr Akpan in a paper titled Comprehensive Health Education and Menstrual Health Management elucidated the virtue of safe menstrul health practices . According to her “It is in our interest to ensure regular change of sanitary pads and proper washing of our genitals.Always speak out to a more experienced person when you notice strange developments in your menstrual cycle,”
Miss Divine Favour Isaiah, an SS3 students of Aka Community Secondary, Aka Ofo, Uyo, in her vote of thanks appreciated AHF Nigeria and her partners for their strive to make the voices of the girl child heard in the society
Free sanitary pads were distributed to the female students during the event.