Female Students of Itak People School in Ikono Local government area and Lutheran High School in Ikot Ekpene local government area have been charged to take their personal hygiene seriously, especially when it has to do with the private or intimate parts of their bodies.
The charge was given during a visit to the schools by Abasi People’s Foundation (APF), a foundation that seeks to mobilize People in Nigeria and the Diaspora for collective self-emancipation from both internal and external marginalization and exploitation for equitable sustainable development.
The representative of the foundation, Udeme Okop speaking with Memories news reporter, Mfoniso Harrison, said Abasi People Foundation embarked on the campaign Project tagged: End Period Poverty Project, with the theme: Pad a Girl Child as part of their contribution to the development and emancipation of the girl child.
A volunteer for Abasi People Foundation and a social worker, Inibehe Okoko while addressing the female students on the need to carefully care for themselves, especially during their menstrual cycle, stressed that every girl child has an important role to play, a role that comes with dignity and also charged them to be on alert against people who will want to abuse or take advantage of them, and ensure such individuals are reported to their parents, teachers or an appropriate authority without fear.
The Vice Principal academics of Itak People School, Mrs. Akpan, and the Matron of Lutheran High School, Affiong Samuel Williams appreciating Abasi People Foundation, said they were glad that despite the tough economic realities in the country, the foundation still saw as crucial and necessary the need to give out pads to young girls and also sensitize them on the need to maintain their personal hygiene as girls who will one day grow to become mothers, role models, and mentors.
The female students, on their part, while appreciating the Abasi People Foundation for taking up the great task of sensitizing them and distributing sanitary pads to them, said they will keep to the advice they have been given to become great leaders tomorrow.
