By Victor Akinkuolie, Okitipupa
No fewer than five thousand young girls from various secondary schools across the Southern Senatorial District of Ondo State recently benefited from free sanitary pads donated by the Ondo State Government.
The programme, an initiative of the Ondo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, also included training for the students on digital literacy.
It was held at two different locations; Methodist High School, Okitipupa, and Adewole High School, Ore, in Okitipupa and Odigbo Local Government Areas, respectively.
Speaking during the official commencement, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Seun Osamaye, said the programme, now in its second phase, is part of the ministry’s efforts to educate girls on the importance of menstrual hygiene, while male students are guided on emotional intelligence and anger management.
Dr. Osamaye reiterated the ministry’s commitment to initiating programmes that will prepare students for future endeavours and careers, urging them to pay close attention to councillors and facilitators during the training.
She added that the programme reflects the present administration’s plan under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to enhance hygiene and overall health conditions for students in secondary schools across the state.
The Commissioner also emphasised the need for the girl child to embrace technology as a tool for empowerment, noting that no girl should be left behind due to gender or lack of access to facilities.
One of the facilitators from the Hospital Management Board, Mrs. Arinola Adamolekun, focused on practical sessions on proper menstrual hygiene practices. She advised the girls to maintain proper hygiene during their menstrual periods and explained that including male students in the programme, is aimed at teaching them emotional intelligence skills.
Responding after the training, the Principal of Adewole High School, Ore, in Odigbo Local Government, Mrs. Funmilayo Ogunleye, commended the ministry for the initiative. She particularly thanked Governor Aiyedatiwa for creating an enabling environment for teachers to deliver quality education across the state.
She also praised the government for providing shuttle buses for schoolchildren, noting that the initiative has reduced lateness and dropout rates among students in rural areas.
The programme, held in the two schools within the Southern Senatorial District, was attended by the Director of Welfare, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr. Adebayo Oyegunwa; Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Sola Oladeji; Director of Child Affairs; and other principal officers.