By Ozioruva Aliu

BENIN CITY – THE YALI Network Edo, under the leadership of its Coordinator Chinye Patrick-Biose and two members of the Edo State House of Assembly have successfully held the World Menstrual Hygiene Day programme where young girls were taken through hygiene during their menstrual circle.

The programme held at the Oredo Girls Secondary School, Sapele Road, Benin City,was organized in partnership with the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, the World Health Organization (WHO) Edo State, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Office Edo State, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

The two lawmakers involved were the members representing Oredo East and Oredo West Constituencies in the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Uyi Omosigho and Hon. Richard Edosa.

Speaking, the principal of the school, Mrs Adesuwa Uwaifo lauded the initiative which she said would go a long way in assisting the young girls in the school about their hygiene.

On her part, Patrick-Biose highlighted the importance of commemorating Menstrual Hygiene Day and encouraged the students to “embrace your menstrual cycles with pride rather than shame” and emphasized the need for awareness, education, and dignity around menstrual health.

She then introduced the YALI-trained health practitioners, Nurse Oreoluwa Aiyemonase (Deputy Coordinator) and Precious Akhile who delivered an informative and engaging health talk. Representatives from the SDG Edo office and the Nigerian Red Cross also delivered goodwill messages, expressing support for continued health education and community engagement.

The event also saw the official launch a school-based SDG Club initiative which marks a significant step towards increasing youth involvement and inclusivity in the promotion and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The event also featured a hands-on workshop on reusable sanitary pads facilitated by Favour Oko who demonstrated practical, affordable methods for making comfortable reusable pads, promoting sustainability and accessibility. The students were highly interactive, asking several questions, and were given hygiene guide pamphlets to reinforce their learning.

The high point of the event was the donation of items by the YALI Edo Executive Team which included sanitary materials for the students and books provided by SDG partners.