The Ondo State Government has distributed over 5,000 cartons of sanitary pads free to students and residents to commemorate the 2024 World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The theme for the 2024 World Menstrual Hygiene Day is: “Together for a Period Friendly World.”
Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who gave out the items on Monday in Akure, said that the gesture was to show the government’s commitment to menstrual hygiene.
Aiyedatiwa, represented by the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Olabanji Ajaka, said that the public should see menstruation as a natural process and sign of reproductive health.
“ Menstruation should not be seen or perceived as something shameful and utterly private.
“ In a period friendly world, the stigma and taboos surrounding menstruation must remain a history.
“It is now a world where girls and women can access the products, period education and friendly infrastructure they need
“ Your period is a symbol of life, vitality and strength. Be proud of it. Together, we can make Ondo State a leader in menstrual hygiene and a beacon of hope for others,” he said.
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Aiyedatiwa stated that the state government with the ‘Omi Irorun’ Initiative was committed to providing sustainable access to safe water in all public areas in meeting the personal hygiene of individuals in the state.
According to him, the government will ensure that women and girls are at the forefront of positive change.
Aiyedatiwa said that all hands must be on deck to create a world where every girl and woman could manage their periods with dignity without fear of judgement or exclusion.
Also speaking, Mr Sunday Akinwalire, the state Commissioner for Water Resources, Public Sanitation and Hygiene, said that menstruation was not a curse, but part of womanhood.
Akinwalire explained that menstruation was part of beauty and glory of womanhood and essential for procreation.
He said that members of the public should know that menstruation was a thing of joy and happiness, and shows that a woman was medically fit to procreate.
According to him, during menstruation, female gender should keep themselves neat and well groomed.
The commissioner said that the ministry was involved in the campaign by ensuring provision of potable water in every household across the state.
He said that serious dangers could arise from the use of dirty water during menstruation.
He commended the state governor for taking provision of potable water in the state as a priority.
Also, Dr Olorunfemi Owa, a guest lecturer, said that attention was recently given to menstrual hygiene to highlight its importance.
Owa, a physician at the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, said that menstruation was not a sickness, but what every girl and man should be happy about.
He decried a lot of stigmas and taboos attached to menstruation, saying that there was a need for legislation to address stigma accrued to menstruation.
The lecturer stated that there should be proper and comprehensive education on menstruation for both genders at early stage.
He asked productive women to always take sanitary pads whereever they go, saying that menstrual cycle could change.
Owa urged the Nigerian government to give tax waiver to importation and local manufacture of menstrual pads to make it affordable for users.