Kano celebrates menstrual hygiene day with pad distribution, awareness campaign

The Kano State Government has launched a menstrual hygiene awareness initiative to support female students across the state, particularly in boarding schools.

The campaign, which marks World Menstrual Hygiene Day, was carried out in collaboration with the Womanhood Africa Initiative and flagged off at First Ladies College, Kano.

Speaking during the event, Abdulkarim Ibrahim Abubakar, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at the Government House, said the initiative was designed to ease the financial burden many students face due to the rising cost of sanitary products.

“Most of our girls are struggling with managing their menstrual periods due to the current economic situation. This effort will reduce that burden and allow them to focus more on their education,” he said.

Abubakar stated that the program would be expanded to cover more schools in the state. He also revealed that plans were underway to empower students with the skills to produce reusable sanitary pads.

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“This will not only help them manage their hygiene needs but could also become a source of income for them after school,” he explained.

Representing Womanhood Africa Initiative, Mr. Edidiong Etefia said the campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene and equip students with practical tools.

“We believe the future is female. If young girls don’t take menstrual hygiene seriously, it could lead to long-term health issues that may affect future generations,” he said.

As part of the outreach, reusable sanitary pads certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) were distributed to students.

SolaceBase reports that the organization also donated a fully stocked first aid box to the school clinic to help manage health emergencies.

The Principal of First Ladies College, Atine Mohammad, welcomed the initiative and described it as a critical intervention.

“Every day, we try to teach the children about hygiene, but it has a greater impact when people from outside come in to educate them. It reinforces the importance of the message,” she said.

Mohammad also appealed to the state government to sustain the effort. “Most of our students can’t afford sanitary pads, and we often step in to provide them. This support reduces the burden on us significantly,” she noted.

Expressing appreciation on behalf of the students, Faiza Yusuf, an SS3 student and prefect at the college, described the program as life-changing. “We are grateful for this heartfelt support.

As girls, menstrual hygiene is central to our well-being. Without it, we feel helpless. We hope to see more of such programs in the future,” she said.

The event marks the beginning of a broader campaign to promote menstrual hygiene and empower young girls in Kano State.