Group donates sanitary pads to indigent schoolgirls in Gombe
African Centre for Women and Youth Sustainability, says academic success of schoolgirls could be hinged on their well-being especially the health aspect, adding that efforts should be made towards supporting as many as possible.
Speaking during the presentation of pads and writing materials, Coordinator of the group, Maurice Suwange said the beneficiaries were selected based on their financial standing and their inability to purchase sanitary pads.
Periscope Nigeria reports that lack of sanitary pads during monthly mensuration contributes to reasons why girls stayed away from school in various communities in Gombe.
According to him, the school authorities assisted them in singling out those with such needs, stressing that hygiene and safety of girls should not be compromised.
Suwange also sensitised beneficiaries which include; 40 girls and 10 boys to gender-based violence, saying that both were at risk and so should be protected by relevant authorities.
He said, “In commemoration of International Women’s Day we are here to see the youth here knowing full well that here is a school they need to be sensitised on gender-based violence to incorporate them in the activities.
“We are targeting 50 participants; 10 boys and 40 girls. The girls will be given sanitary pads and the boys will receive exercise books and pen. Our target is the poor and the most vulnerable, in time to come we will be looking at single mothers, widows. It is our hope that they will know their right and report to GBV safe centres.”
Commenting on the status of the state, as it relates to GBV cases, Suwange revealed that it has been on a steady rise, while urging victims to speak out.
“Gombe Gender-Based Violence is always in the increase, instead of decreasing with the sensitisation and modern development the cases keeps rising. We as an organisation have come to the realisation that government alone can not solve it we decided to go into the communities, each time you go to the court you hear women and girls including boys been violated,” Suwange added.
Also Speaking, Principal of the school Mairan Kadiri said the importance of women to the society can not be overemphasized.
Kadiri said, “We need to appreciate them, we need to celebrate them to know their importance. Government needs to do more to carry them along in every area of our endeavour.”
