The World Bank-assisted Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) in Enugu State has launched a campaign to educate school girls in the state on the importance of menstrual hygiene and abstaining from premarital sexual activity.

The campaign, sponsored by a US-based charity organization, ‘Could You’, witnessed the distribution of hundreds of menstrual cups valued at between ₦15,000 and #25,000 each to the school girls.

The State Project Coordinator of AGILE, Dr. Ebele Georgina Onuora while speaking during sensitization visits at Comprehensive Secondary School, Mbulu-Owo, and Community Secondary School, Ubahu, in Nkanu East Local Government Area on Wednesday, bemoaned the widespread poor adherence to menstrual hygiene, particularly among schoolgirls who frequently miss class when their period begins.

“Girls in this part of the world are frequently observed using unhygienic items like tissue papers, handkerchiefs, and at times their stockings whenever their menstruation begins. This practice is totally unhealthy and can expose them to infections”, she said.

Dr. Onuora said that the ‘Could You’ charity organization was moving round the globe, teaching school girls the importance of proper menstrual hygiene, encouraging them to abstain from premarital sex and helping them stay focused on their studies.

“Our partner, ‘Could You’ has been engaging in this sensitization all over the world, but decided to extend it to Enugu State to assist the good works the governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah is doing in the education sector. We are here to assist the state on sex education and the need to observe menstrual hygiene.

“There is no need skipping classes because of menstruation because it can be properly managed, especially with the use of menstrual cups which we have distributed. With the menstrual cup, you can engage in any activity of your choice without being discomforted or having your clothes stained”, she told the school girls, she said.

Also speaking, a trainer and coordinator of ”Could You’ in Abuja, Mrs Blessing Ajabiowe said the organization was committed to eradicating period poverty in communities through the education of the girls on menstrual management, sex education and providing sustainable solution to environmental degradation.

According to her, each menstrual cup can be used for a period of ten years and may be used without any record of discomfort or stain on the user.

“The campaign is to teach our young daughters how to manage their menstruation and the use of menstrual cup, a method already in use in the developed countries. Some of our girls abstain from school whenever their menstruation starts because they are afraid of the discomfort it may cause. But with this, you can engage in your activities with confidence,” Mrs Ajabiowe said.

Addressing the students, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Revenue, Adenike Okebu admonished them to pay full attention to their studies and avoid any activity capable of distorting their educational career.

She informed them about Governor Peter Mbah’s determination to transform the education sector, stressing that the state government was devoting 33% of its budget to education.

Okebu urged them to embrace the opportunities the Enugu State government was providing through its Smart Green School programme to prepare them for the future, encouraging them to report any case of sexual harassment to the appropriate quarters.

Expressing her delight, the Principal of Comprehensive Secondary School, Mbulu-Owo, Mrs Okeh Nkiru who spoke on behalf of the teachers and staff, thanked the officials for finding out time to visit and educate the girls.

She advised the girls to ensure that they adopted the necessary measures in observing menstrual hygiene, ensuring that they made good use of the menstrual cups to save themselves from infection which may arise from the use of other materials.

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