By Jumake Olaitan
The Lola Cater Foundation has set a goal to achieve 5,000 ladies throughout Nigeria with menstrual well being training, books and hygiene help by May 28, 2027, as a part of efforts to advertise ladies’ well being, confidence and dignity.
The basis’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Ololade Ogunnubi, introduced the initiative on the “She Is Ready” 2026 occasion held in Abuja on Wednesday to commemorate the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The occasion additionally featured the launch of a guide titled My First Period: A Young Girl’s Guide to Confidence, Courage and Growing Up, designed to equip ladies with important information about menstruation and puberty.
Ogunnubi stated the initiative was geared toward making certain that ladies approached menstruation with sufficient information, confidence and dignity, with out concern, confusion or embarrassment.
She defined that many ladies skilled nervousness and disgrace throughout their first menstrual interval as a result of they lacked dependable data, entry to menstrual hygiene merchandise and trusted adults to information them by way of the expertise.
“Some lack reliable information. Some struggle to access menstrual products and appropriate facilities. Others have no trusted adults to turn to when they need reassurance,” she stated.
The basis’s chief government recognized insufficient communication between mother and father and colleges as a serious problem affecting menstrual well being training amongst adolescent ladies.
She famous that some mother and father anticipated colleges to teach their youngsters about menstruation, whereas lecturers believed the duty rested primarily with mother and father.
Ogunnubi warned that the absence of a coordinated strategy to menstrual well being training left many ladies susceptible to misinformation and deceptive recommendation from their friends.
“Parents are not teaching, and schools are saying it is the parents’ responsibility. So, what do you think the students are going to get their information from?” she requested.
She stated the newly launched guide was designed to supply ladies, mother and father, lecturers and different trusted adults with a sensible useful resource for discussing menstruation brazenly and sharing correct data.
According to her, the publication will assist younger ladies perceive the modifications related to puberty, construct confidence and develop wholesome attitudes in direction of menstruation.
Ogunnubi referred to as for stronger partnerships amongst authorities businesses, colleges, healthcare professionals, neighborhood leaders, civil society organisations and company our bodies to attain the inspiration’s goal.
She harassed that collective motion was mandatory to make sure that ladies, significantly these in underserved communities, had entry to menstrual well being training and important hygiene assets.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Maryam Keshinro, recommended the inspiration for selling menstrual well being training and ladies’ empowerment.
Keshinro, represented by Mr Emmanuel Essien, Director, Youth Health, Mental and Psychosocial Affairs Department, stated menstrual stigma, misconceptions and insufficient entry to hygiene merchandise and amenities continued to undermine ladies’ confidence, college attendance and participation in society.
“We must ensure that every girl has access to accurate information, essential hygiene resources and a supportive environment where menstruation can be discussed openly without shame,” she stated.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to selling the well-being, inclusion, management and empowerment of younger folks, significantly adolescent ladies and younger ladies.
“Girls are not merely beneficiaries of development. They are active contributors to national progress. Their rights must therefore be protected, their voices heard and their opportunities expanded,” she stated.
Keshinro urged stakeholders to spend money on ladies’ training, menstrual well being, life abilities and mentorship whereas strengthening efforts to guard them towards gender-based violence, dangerous practices and youngster marriage.
Also talking, Joy Kalu, Head of the Adolescent and School Health Branch of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, described the initiative as well timed and vital.
Kalu, who was represented by Charity Okala, Assistant Director on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stated menstruation ought to not be handled as a topic that should be mentioned in silence.
She urged authorities establishments, mother and father, colleges, growth companions and younger folks to contribute to bettering menstrual well being training.
“We all have a role to play. We need to bring that together to ensure that our roles complement each other,” she stated.
She defined that offering younger folks with correct well being data would allow them to make knowledgeable selections about their well-being and put together adequately for maturity.
Similarly, Patricia Narai, spouse of the Sakari of Karu, who spoke on behalf of the Association of Wives of FCT Traditional Rulers,(WOFCTTRA), stated many ladies grew up with out sufficient details about menstruation.
Narai recalled that her first menstrual expertise left her confused as a result of she didn’t perceive the modifications occurring in her physique, highlighting the significance of getting ready ladies earlier than their first interval.
She harassed that oldsters, lecturers and different trusted adults should present ladies with well timed data and emotional help to assist them navigate puberty confidently.
“Menstruation is not a source of shame. It is a natural biological process that deserves understanding, care and respect,” she stated.
Narai referred to as on conventional establishments, mother and father and neighborhood leaders to advertise open discussions about ladies’ well being and enhance entry to correct data, menstrual hygiene merchandise and secure sanitary amenities.
She additionally inspired ladies to ask questions, search dependable data and strategy trusted adults every time they wanted steering, moderately than permitting disgrace or misinformation to restrict their confidence.
The occasion featured the launch of Ogunnubi’s guide, My First Period, alongside well being training, ladies’ empowerment actions and discussions geared toward breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation and advancing menstrual well being consciousness throughout Nigeria.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
