WMHW: Foundation Urges Govt To Provide Pads To Schools

A Non Governmental Organisation, Victoria Oyiya Health Foundation (OYHF) has called on governments across the country to consider the provision of pads to schools in the country as a priority.
According to the foundation, this is necessary with the view to improving the health conditions of the girl child in schools.
Speaking to newsmen during a health awareness workshop at the Community Girls Secondary School Oromenike Port Harcourt as part of activities to mark  this year’s world Menstrual Hygiene week, the African Coordinator of the foundation miss Joy Sunday said the situation has become necessary as it would help to reduce the burden on parents.
Sunday said experience has shown that most female students  clean their bodies with unforms, during menstrual period,a situation which she said is dangerous to their health.
According to her,pads should be distributed to schools the same way governments and other organizations are distributing condoms to schools.
She also stressed the need for regular health and sensitisation programms among female students on ways of maintaining high level personal hygiene during menstrual period.
Joy Sunday who is also the Rivers State coordinator of the group also called on parents to always open up to their children especially during their menstrual period.
“Parents should be open enough to allow their children discuss with them, allowing them to tell them what they are going through medically”.
She also advised young female students to always save part of their pockets allowances for the purchase of pads for use during their menstrual cycle.
Sunday said the foundation which has been in existence since 2007 has done so much in the areas of health awareness across the country.
She also said States such as Imo and others have benefitted from the activities of the foundation.
According to her the activities of the foundation was fashioned along the line of activities  of the United Nations
Sunday said the group just ended it’s anti malaria campaign, while efforts are on to join other groups across the world to mark the global hand washing day.
Also speaking a staff of the school who spoke anonymously commended the Victoria Oyiya Health Foundation for a job well done.
She said because  the importance of programm the school had to suspend some classes to enable the students participate in the programm.
“We commend them because this talk is touching directly on their health.”
Across section of students who spoke to newsmen said they have learned so much about keeping their bodies clean during menstrual period.
They also commended the foundation for distributing pads to them, adding that it was the first time such activity is taking place in their

By: John Bibor