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 assist 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 data about menstruation and puberty.
Ogunnubi stated the initiative was aimed toward guaranteeing that ladies approached menstruation with ample data, confidence and dignity, with out concern, confusion or embarrassment.
She defined that many women skilled nervousness and disgrace throughout their first menstrual interval as a result of they lacked dependable info, entry to menstrual hygiene merchandise and trusted adults to information them via 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 faculties as a serious problem affecting menstrual well being training amongst adolescent ladies.
She famous that some mother and father anticipated faculties to teach their youngsters about menstruation, whereas academics believed the accountability rested primarily with mother and father.
Ogunnubi warned that the absence of a coordinated method to menstrual well being training left many women 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 offer ladies, mother and father, academics and different trusted adults with a sensible useful resource for discussing menstruation overtly and sharing correct info.
According to her, the publication will assist younger ladies perceive the adjustments related to puberty, construct confidence and develop wholesome attitudes in the direction of menstruation.
Ogunnubi referred to as for stronger partnerships amongst authorities companies, faculties, healthcare professionals, neighborhood leaders, civil society organisations and company our bodies to realize the inspiration’s goal.
She careworn 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 sources.
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 services 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 individuals, 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 put money into ladies’ training, menstrual well being, life abilities and mentorship whereas strengthening efforts to guard them in opposition to 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 necessary.
Kalu, who was represented by Charity Okala, Assistant Director on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, stated menstruation ought to now not be handled as a topic that should be mentioned in silence.
She urged authorities establishments, mother and father, faculties, improvement companions and younger individuals 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 individuals with correct well being info would allow them to make knowledgeable choices 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 ample details about menstruation.
Narai recalled that her first menstrual expertise left her confused as a result of she didn’t perceive the adjustments occurring in her physique, highlighting the significance of making ready ladies earlier than their first interval.
She careworn that oldsters, academics and different trusted adults should present ladies with well timed info and emotional assist 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 info, menstrual hygiene merchandise and secure sanitary services.
She additionally inspired ladies to ask questions, search dependable info and method trusted adults every time they wanted steering, somewhat 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 aimed toward breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation and advancing menstrual well being consciousness throughout Nigeria.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Deji Abdulwahab
