.jpg)
In recognition of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child with the theme ‘Girls’ vision for the future, the President of Defenece and Police Officers Wives Association, Mrs Oghogho Gwabin Musa on Monday, 14th October 2024 led Executive members of the association to empower over 500 students of Government Secondary School, Dei Dei, FCT, with a training on Menstrual Health, Hygiene Management, and how to produce eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads to break the stigma surrounding menstruation.
International Day of the Girl Child is an international observance day declared by the United Nations first celebrated on Oct. 11, 2012 and the observation supports more opportunity for girls and increases awareness of gender inequality faced by girls worldwide based upon their gender.
In her remarks Mrs Musa said the theme, Girl Vision for the Future, highlight girls' rights and the challenge they face. Hence, the need for urgent action to support girls and help them reach their full potentials. The International Day of the Girl Child serves as a reminder of the importance of empowering girls and ensuring their rights and freedom.
"We celebrate the potential, resilience and strength of girls worldwide. We recognize the obstacles they face, from gender-based violence to limited access to education and healthcare. But most importantly, we affirm our commitment to creating a world where girls can strive.
"Therefore, as part of the DEPOWA's commitment towards empowering girls to end in the federal capital territory, we are here today for the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management and Reusable Pad Making Training for all our lovely school girls here today.
"This is in line with my vision, (which is to see women and girls become productive contributors to family and society, driven by a deep sense of values and hard-working spirit. Therefore, I will ask you to be committed and avail yourself to learn.
"To all the girls and young women here today, I say to you, your dreams are valid, your voices matter, your futures are bright, you are change makers, you are the leaders of tomorrow" she said
The facilitator, Miss Amara Ezediniru, a Lead Consultant Rald and Vid Ltd noted in her remarks that the one of the reasons or the major reason for the training is to end period poverty. "We were told that children, girls are uncomfortable coming to school during their monthly flow. We were told how some of them even miss classes because they don't have who to help them take care of their menstrual situation.
"We were told that the children here, a lot of them are from less privileged homes. And we thought to come and identify with you because every child, every girl child is important to us. And that's why we're here today, not just to give you parts. We want to teach you about menstrual hygiene. We also want to teach you how to make reusable parts so that you can make for yourself and use them.
"Then you won't have to miss school and you won't have to be disadvantaged. We are here also to work with you, teach you, learn with you. And we are expecting that at the end of our program today, everybody will go home very happy.
"We are hopeful that what you will learn here today will not just be for yourself only, you will be empowered. And so as you practice, you can teach other people, you can even convert it to business. I want to thank the president of the POA for such magnanimity buying into the idea and coming here with her team to make it possible.
Also in his welcome address, the Principal of the school, Mr Abdullahi Lakuza thanked DEPOWA President for recognising with less privileged students at a time like this to train them on Menstrual Health, Hygiene Management, and how to produce eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads.
"We have heard so much about you. We never knew that one day you will be in our midst, but alhamdulillah today you are here with us, not just about your menstrual period, but I'm sure she can do even much more. Today, just as daily, you've been crying of so many things, but our mother is here today to help us.
The training was climax with the distribution of packs of sanitary pads to both students and teachers. Four outstanding students who were able to learn fast and sew eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads were presented four sewing machines.
.jpg)
