BY RITA OYIBOKA
IN commemoration of the International Day of the Girl-Child, a coalition of Rotary Clubs in Asaba, Delta State, organised an outreach event at St. Brigid’s Girls Grammar School to promote menstrual hygiene and awareness.
The event saw the distribution of menstrual hygiene products and disinfectants to the students, alongside a lecture on menstrual care.
The delegation, headed by the President of the Rotary Club of Asaba Central, Rotarian Samuel Ijie, comprised the presidents of the Rotary Clubs of Asaba Capital City, Gateway, and New Era, as well as the Rotaract Club. Speaking during the event themed: ‘Menstrual Hygiene’, the president nominee of the Rotary Club of Asaba Central, Rtn. Michael Nwankwo highlighted the importance of reaching young girls with the right information and resources to support their health and well-being during their menstruation. He noted that the event would also strengthen the Rotaract club in the school.
Meanwhile, the guest lecturer, Nurse Eki Omozuwa, gave a presentation on menstrual hygiene care. She spoke about the significance of maintaining cleanliness during menstruation and offered practical tips on how girls can manage their periods, emphasising the role of hygiene in preventing infections and other health complications.
In an interview with The Pointer, Rtn. Samuel Ijie underscored the importance of the outreach, saying, “This exercise is a collaborative effort with several Rotary Clubs in Asaba, and today was deliberately chosen for this purpose in celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child. “We selected St. Brigid’s Girls Grammar School because it is an all-girls school, and menstrual hygiene is a key issue that is specifically relevant to their well-being. This is an annual project for us, and we plan to continue visiting schools to provide this essential education and support.”
He added, “The girls should follow the guidance provided by our guest speaker. Proper menstrual hygiene is critical for their health, and if they take care of themselves during this period, they can avoid many health issues.” The Vice Principal of the school, Mr. Anaele Afokwalem, expressed his gratitude to the Rotary Clubs for their ongoing support and expressed hope for future contributions from the club to the school.
Speaking on behalf of the students, the Head Girl, Bernice Oseke, thanked the Rotary Club for the donations and the informative lecture, noting that the girls had gained valuable knowledge that would help them manage their menstrual health better. The event concluded with a commitment from the Rotary Clubs to continue their efforts in promoting health and education in schools, with plans to extend the initiative to other schools in Delta State next year.
