Menstrual Hygiene: Ekiti First Lady Targets 3000 Schoolgirls As She Launches Pad Bank

In an effort to improve menstrual hygiene in Ekiti, Wife of the State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, has launched Pad Bank, an initiative targeted at giving sanitary pads to 3,000 schoolgirls every year.

Speaking at the launch during the commemoration of the 2021 World Menstrual Hygiene Day at the Adunni Olayinka Women Centre, Ado-Ekiti, Mrs Fayemi, disclosed that plans were ongoing for local production of reusable pads in every local government area of the state.

She said, “We have over 13 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, and 60 percent are girls. There are many reasons why girls are not in school. Sometimes it’s due to security issues, poverty; early pregnancy; and a whole range of issues, but we are also aware that period poverty is also a factor.”

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The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Biodun Oyebanji, who represented Gov Fayemi, urged the students to show appreciation to the first lady by staying in school and not selling the pads.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade, explained that the day was set aside to speak out about menstruation and raise a voice to promote good menstrual hygiene.