The first gift I ever got from the government was two packs of gold circle condoms. I was only 18 years old then and had just reported on the university campus for my first degree in physics at the federal university of agriculture Makurdi.
This valuable gift as I would come to appreciate it was as useless to me as a remote without battery at the time I received it. I had not known it uses and would not be putting it to use in the following years to come. (You know I was a small boy.)
This has been the practice for welcoming new students on Nigerian campuses. The government through her implementation partners would sponsor a team of trained medical personnel who goes around the campuses and communities educating members of the perils of unprotected sex.
They'd give out free condoms to males and other resource materials demonstrating the use of the condoms on male objects to prevent STDs and unintended pregnancies.
This project has been ongoing for quite some time now with support from the international community and donor agencies. The government also spends billions annually funding this HIV awareness and prevention program.
It is a commendable project, considering the people who could not control themselves but engage in unprotected sex. This has claimed so many lives and rendered many despicable in society today.
Sex, on the other hand, is a choice. It's a decision two consenting adults make to satisfy their human and biological desires. These adults have a choice which they can decide otherwise, to abstain from sexual intercourse until they're married to enjoy its natural sweetness.
Contrary to sex, menstruation on her part is not a choice but a biology obligation for every young lady who's within the eligibility age bracket. It's an involuntary exercise and there's no control or prevention over it.
Today, millions of young girls out there are in dire need of sanitary pads more than the boys are in need of condoms but unfortunately, these girls cannot afford it.
They need these pads monthly to stay healthy to study in school but that's not the same case for boys. The boys can stay without the condoms for years, and they'd still be happy and productive simultaneously without any form of prejudice or discrimination.
Condoms are given out for free and regulated while sanitary pads are sold at high prices without regulations. This has put the lives of many young girls and their chances of procreation in danger as their reproductive health organs are not given the proper care it deserves.
Having identified these challenges and its associated effect on the society, the reigning Queen of the American University of Nigeria 2018/19, Miss Christine Ishanpepe Stephens has taken it to the stage to support these girls through the 'Period Care Pack' project.
Last Saturday, May 4, was a memorable day in the lives of many school girls as we visited Government Girls Secondary School (GGSS), Yola where she donated over 90 custom-made toilet bags to the girls.
Each each bag had the following items;
*sanitary towels
*bathing soap
*Body spray and
*Complementary card with care tips
In addition, the girls were taught how to use these items, and to stay healthy during and after their periods. The girls were excited and their burning questions were also answered.
We heard unacceptable stories of how the school girls are using rags, mattresses (forms), handkerchiefs and even their pants during their periods to keep clean. It becomes even more difficult for those who experience heavy flows to manage it with those materials and exposes them to health challenges.
They would have no option but to stay away from school until their periods are over, and they're sufficiently cleaned enough to return to their classes.
It is on this note that we are calling on the government and the relevant agencies to come to the aid of these girls by formulating policies that would support them by making sanitary pads very affordable (if not free).
Meanwhile, Christine is still receiving your contributions and donations as she plans to reach out to more girls in the communities.
Kindly reach out and make your contributions.
It's not a crime to be b a girl o. Sanitary pads too should be FREE not only condoms.
Boys should go and hold themselves jare.🙄
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