By Our Correspondent
National Council for Women Societies, NCWS, extended its sensitisation campaign to to schools in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, to educate young women on the importance of personal hygiene.
The theme of the 2025 World Menstrual Day is ‘Together for a #Period Friendly World,’ which the NCWS national president, Princess Edna Azura, whose speech was delivered by the 1st vice president of the council, Dr. Geraldine Etuk, said resonated deeply with the mission of the council to empower women and girls.
Speaking at the school sensitisation campaign in commemoration of this year’s celebration at Government Science Secondary School in New Karu, FCT, on Wednesday, Princess Azura expressed excitement as she shared some key messages of the event with the students.
The NCWS president noted that menstruation is a natural part of life which is often shrouded in myths, misconceptions and stigma.
She called synergy by all individuals and authorities to create an environment where girls and women feel comfortable to discuss their menstrual health without fear, shame or embarrassment, noting that the occasion created an opportunity to break the silence and challenge the stigmas that have held women and girls back for too long.
According to her, as an umbrella body of all women organisations in the country, NCWS have engendered several impacts about menstrual hygiene management on girls’ education, health, and overall well-being.
“When girls are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources to manage their menstruation with dignity, they are more likely to stay in school, pursue their dreams, and reach their full potential.
“To our students, you are not alone in this journey. Menstruation is a sign of strength, resilience, and womanhood. Do not let stigma or shame hold you back. Embrace your body, take care of your health, and prioritize your education. You are the future leaders, innovators, and change-makers of our society, and we believe in you.
“To our educators, I urge you to create a supportive environment where girls feel comfortable discussing their menstrual health. Provide access to sanitary products, clean facilities, and accurate information. Your role is crucial in shaping the minds and attitudes of our young women and girls.
“As we commemorate this important day, let’s make a commitment to break the silence around menstruation and challenge harmful myths and stigmas, promote menstrual hygiene education and awareness in our schools and communities, empower our girls and women with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to manage their menstruation with dignity, create a society where every girl and woman can thrive, free from the constraints of menstrual stigma and shame,” Azura advised.
She used the medium to thank NCWS partners, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria, Amina Agbo Foundation, Stratech Properties, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, educators and students for participating in the commemoration, as well as their commitment to the cause, noting that “together we can make a difference,” as she called for all hands to be on deck to create a brighter future for girls and women.
She also appealed for synergy in empowering the girls, challenge stigmas, and promote menstrual hygiene awareness.
In his remarks, principal of the school, Mr. Shimideyi Maikasuwa thanked NCWS for bringing such programme to their school so that children would understand the importance of menstrual hygiene, as he promised to welcome NCWS in future programmes.
At Navigator International School, the proprietress, Mrs. Njoku Benedicta, who spoke on behalf of private schools, thanked the organiser of the programme for remembering private schools, and advised them to include more private schools in their future programmes. Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria donated about 1000 sanitary pads to the students and promised to do more in future while the programme officer, Delphine Soufo, who spoke on behalf of the Leprosy Mission Nigeria, thanked the organisers for remembering the disabled people, with a promise to partner NCWS whenever the need arises.
