NAWOJ Zone A Marks World Menstrual Hygiene Day with Health Talk, Sanitary Pad Distribution to AGILE Mentees

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Zone A, has organized a menstrual hygiene awareness programme and distributed sanitary pads to female students of Government Secondary School, Badarawa, who are beneficiaries of the AGILE project, as part of activities marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

The outreach, led by the Vice Chairperson of NAWOJ Zone A, Hajiya Rabi Muhammad Gwadabawa, who was represented by the Zonal Secretary, Hajiya Daharatu Ahmed Aliyu, saw members of the association engage students and staff on the importance of maintaining proper menstrual hygiene while also providing sanitary materials to support their wellbeing.

Speaking during the event, Hajiya Rabi Muhammad Gwadabawa commended the wife of the Kaduna State Governor, Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani, for donating the sanitary pads and for her continued commitment to improving the lives of women and girls through initiatives aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda.

She explained that the programme was designed to educate young girls on proper menstrual hygiene practices and equip them with essential sanitary products to boost their comfort, confidence and dignity during their menstrual periods.

According to her, menstrual health education remains crucial in ensuring that girls stay in school and participate fully in academic and social activities without facing stigma or discrimination.

Gwadabawa further reaffirmed NAWOJ Zone A’s commitment to promoting the health, welfare and rights of women and girls across the North-West region through advocacy and community-based interventions.

A registered nurse, Zinat Abdulsalam Yunusa, who delivered the health talk, educated the students on healthy menstrual practices. She advised girls and women to maintain personal hygiene by regularly changing sanitary pads, bathing at least twice daily, keeping undergarments clean and separate, and washing their hands after using the toilet to prevent infections and body odour.

Responding on behalf of the school and beneficiaries, AGILE Mentor, Safiya Hassan Maihadisi, expressed appreciation to NAWOJ Zone A and Hajiya Hafsat Uba Sani for the gesture. She described the donation as timely and impactful, noting that it would go a long way in supporting the students’ personal hygiene needs.

She also assured the association that the beneficiaries would make effective use of both the sanitary pads and the knowledge gained from the awareness session, while sharing the lessons with their peers.

The event underscored the importance of menstrual health education and community support in empowering girls to thrive both academically and socially.