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By Akpan David, Calabar
No fewer than 100 teenage girls, not older than 18 years of age, have received menstrual pads.
Most of the young women came from Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu village and surrounding communities.
The event was organised by chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Cross River State,, Madam Archibong Bassey in collaboration with Adiabo community leaders to mark the 2025 World Humanitarian Day.
The humanitarian outreach featured the distribution of free sanitary pads to girls and women in the community, with beneficiaries expressing gratitude to the organisers.
A beneficiary, 16byear old Beatrice Nyong said the initiative by the NUJ chairman as well as the experience sharing and pieces of advice from older and nore experienced women who spoke, have registered in her mind.
“I will be able to handle my menstrual cycle and hygiene responsibly. The lecture has further enlightened me on risks of not understanding my menstrual cycle”, she said.
Speaking, Bassey said the initiative, called PadBank, is aimed at tackling what she called ‘period poverty’ as well as restoring dignity to teenage girls and women in rural communities.
As coordinator of the initiative, she said they are aiming to distribute 80,000 sanitary pads across 12 communities.
Bassey cautioned that no girl should be humiliated or dehumanized because she is her period.
“This initiative is about ensuring dignity for every girl,” she said.
Bassey said the initiative ty I’ve is self funded, but however appealed for public-spirited individuals, religious organisations, and NGOs to support the cause.
Head of health in the community, Chief Ukpabio Okon Abasi commended the initiative for its impact on the lives of vulnerable girls and pledged the community’s support.
He urged them to continue working at ensuring the safety of girls in the community.
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