Anambra First Lady promotes menstrual hygiene, distributes sanitary pads to schoolgirls

Nonye Soludo, the wife of the Anambra State Governor, has launched a strong campaign promoting menstrual hygiene and urging an end to the discrimination, stigma, and harmful practices faced by menstruating women and girls.

Speaking at an event in Awka to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day, Soludo declared that menstruation is a natural bodily function, not a curse or a taboo, and that no girl or woman should feel ashamed of it. She noted that this year's observance highlighted the significant challenges girls encounter in their pursuit of a secure and promising future.

“

As we celebrate this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day, I stand before you not just as a mother, a woman or the wife of the Governor of Anambra State, but as an advocate for dignity, health, confidence and the future of our children, especially girls.

Addressing over 2,000 secondary school students from across the state, Soludo revealed that her non-governmental organization, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, has established 350 sanitary pad banks in secondary schools. These banks are designed to provide young girls with regular access to sanitary pads whenever needed, preventing them from missing classes during their menstrual cycles.

“

Menstruation is a natural part of life. It is not a curse. It is not a taboo. It is not something any girl should be ashamed of. Yet, across many communities, countless girls still suffer in silence because of stigma, poor hygiene education, lack of sanitary materials and harmful cultural and social misconceptions.

"Menstruation is a natural part of life. It is not a curse. It is not a taboo. It is not something any girl should be ashamed of," Soludo stated. She lamented that "countless girls still suffer in silence because of stigma, poor hygiene education, lack of sanitary materials and harmful cultural and social misconceptions." She called for a societal shift, urging to "replace shame with understanding, silence with education, and exclusion with compassion and support." Soludo stressed that every girl deserves to experience her womanhood with dignity and confidence, free from fear or humiliation.

Soludo further explained that her Healthy Living Initiative actively promotes cleanliness, proper hygiene, nutrition, physical wellness, and preventive healthcare. Through her NGO, she champions six key pillars of healthy living, recognizing hygiene as a critical element for growth. She believes that a healthy society is built upon healthy families, which are in turn empowered by informed and confident women and girls.

“

We must replace shame with understanding, silence with education, and exclusion with compassion and support. Every girl deserves to experience her womanhood with dignity, confidence and pride, not fear or humiliation. This is why conversations like this are important.