June 24, 2023

NUF DISTRIBUTES SANITARY TOWELS, EDUCATES GIRLS ON MENSTRUAL HYGIENE IN NASARAWA STATE

In a mission to promote menstrual health and personal hygiene among young girls, the Nikki Udezue Foundation (NUF) distributed sanitary pads to female students of Junior Secondary School, Nyanya Gbagyi, Nasarawa State.

The outreach, held on June 24th 2023, was part of a special project supported by a UK-based individual donor through the campaign #BecauseICan, in celebration of her birthday. A total of 30 packs containing 480 sanitary towels were distributed to over 150 girls, along with comprehensive sensitization on menstrual hygiene and training on how to make alternative reusable pads.

Speaking to the press, Mrs. Nkeiruka Udezue, Founder of the Nikki Udezue Foundation, explained the goal of the project:

“The ‘Pad The Girl Child’ initiative is about empowering young girls with knowledge and resources to manage their menstrual health, reduce stigma, and avoid missing school.”

The program specifically targeted JSS1 and JSS2 students, ages 10 to 13, to ensure early education on menstrual care. In addition to the pad distribution, girls received health talks led by U.S.-trained nurse, Mbah Deborah-Esohe, who highlighted the importance of hygiene and how to manage periods with dignity.

“Many girls miss school during their periods due to lack of resources or knowledge. We’re here to change that by giving them both solutions and alternatives,” Nurse Deborah explained.

Each girl received enough pads to cover two menstrual cycles, and learned how to create simple, hygienic alternatives using cotton wool and clean cloths in the event of financial hardship.

The school’s principal, Mrs. Abdulkareem Silifat, expressed gratitude to the Foundation and emphasized the importance of extending such trainings to both girls and boys to foster a supportive and informed community.

Students, too, voiced their excitement. 13-year-old Ukam Ukamaka shared:

“I’ve learned not to use dirty clothes but to use pads or cotton wool. I also learned to change my pad every four hours to stay clean. Thank you to the Foundation and the donor!”

The Nikki Udezue Foundation continues to champion the empowerment and education of young girls, one community at a time — proving that dignity and health are rights, not privileges.