Menstrual Hygiene Day: Otu\’s SA took sensitization and distribution of pads to the community at Akpabuyo.

As they say, charity begins at home. The Special Assistant to the Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, on Gender Mainstreaming, visits her hometown of Anyanganse in Akpabuyo LGA to celebrate Menstrual Hygiene Day with the young girls of Government Secondary School, Anyanganse.

The event took place on the 28th of May at Government Secondary School Ayanganse to educate over 50 young girls and boys on menstrual health and hygiene.

Utibe Abasi gave a talk on proper menstrual hygiene and also demonstrated the proper way to wear a sanitary pad.

During the demonstration, both male and female participated in the exercise on how to wear and were exposed to proper hygiene during periods.

Key notes were listed on the fact that having your period is not a thing of shame but a natural human process that every woman will undergo.

Utibe-Abasi stated that without the process of menstruation and ovulation, there will be no creation of life. Specifically to the boys, Utibe encouraged the boys to remove the stigma of period and that periods are not disgusting.

Utibe-Abasi encouraged the young girls that their menstrual period is a symbol of strength and resilience as a girl.

Grace Womi Otu from Women in Gender Support Initiative took the student on why they menstruate and how to calculate their cycle.

Also in attendance was Israel Nwakalor, representing Marie Stopes Nigeria, who spoke on how menstruation can lead to unwanted pregnancy. Israel advised the students not to take part in unprotected sex. He encouraged the female students to speak out if they were having challenges regarding their periods or any form of harassment. He gave the contact information of Marie Stopes Nigeria to students who had any emergencies.

The session ended with Utibe-Abasi Bassey-Duke distributing sanitary pads to female and male students.

The Principal of the school, thanked the Government of Cross River State and Utibe-Abasi for this opportunity to educate their students.