In a major step toward supporting young women, over 400 female students drawn from 20 secondary schools across have been equipped with vital health education and sanitary products during an impactful empowerment seminar.
The sensitisation program, which took place in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State on 28th July, was facilitated by the Firstmade Community Drive Foundation to promote menstrual health, boost self-worth, and foster leadership among young girls.
Addressing participants at the venue, the Founder of the Non-Governmental Organisation, Mr. Olufemi Olusanya, highlighted the importance of nurturing young women early in life to secure a better future for the community.
“We are living in a society where a girl today is a mother tomorrow. So we are here to make them imbibe the ability to maintain their status,” Olusanya stated.
“As a girl, they have to keep their body, they have to be in school, and they have to have self-esteem. These are things that will make them to maintain self-esteem among their peers, because a girl you don’t train today will not be a good woman tomorrow,” he said.
Adding to this sentiment, Sam Osagbemi Petra emphasised the long-term societal benefits of investing in female students.
“When you empower a girl, you empower a future yet unborn,” Osagbemi
said, continuing that, “A girl will grow up to be a mother, and these are the people that will become leaders tomorrow, talking of administrators, etc. So giving them education will help them to own their body, and it goes a long way.”
Throughout the sessions, guest speakers urged the students to build resilience and cultivate self-worth.
Guest Speaker, Ogunjobi Bosede advised the students to protect their dignity.
“The girls have to place value on themselves to avoid being vulnerable. Some people in the society, especially the opposite sex, are looking for lives to destroy. These girls must learn how to place value on themselves so they can learn not to be vulnerable,” Ogunjobi noted.
Echoing these thoughts, another speaker, Abiodun Oluwakemi enjoined the girls to stay firm in their self-regard: “She should place value on herself and have confidence on herself in order not to be molested,” she said.
Guest Lecturer, Christiana Sunday, advocated for broader social inclusion and family support for young women.
“The society must be fair to the girl child. In this part of the world, they should accept the girl child as a normal human being created specially and differently from the men, because God has ordained it to be so. Secondly, our parents from home must recognise the girl child as a blessing from God, so that a girl is a nation,” Sunday said.
Community leaders and local government administrators also turned out in strong support of the initiative.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice Chairman of the Local Government, Fatimah Jubril highlighted the link between hygiene and learning confidence.
“The young girls must be hygienic, give them confidence and make them comfortable while receiving their lectures and while they are learning. Giving them a pad is a good push towards this,” Jubril explained.
The wife of the traditional ruler of Egbe, Olori Ibilola Irukera (wife of the Elegbe of Egbe), called for a holistic approach to youth development, noting: “The girl should be prepared socially, spiritually, and economically.
“When you pad a girl, you empower her and teach her how to manage herself.”
Providing an administrative perspective, the Education Secretary of Yagba West Local Government Area, Mr. Michael Ogunjobi, pointed out the unique health needs of young women.
“The girl child needs deeper care more than the male child because they have the monthly biological process that they pass through every month, of which their male folks are not concerned about,” Ogunjobi said.
The Principal of Totcombe College, Egbe, Mr. John Ajayi, expressed gratitude to the organisers for bringing the initiative to their community.
“This foundation has made it possible for our students to understand things about their lives and their bodies, and also about self-esteem,” Ajayi remarked.
The beneficiaries themselves expressed heartfelt gratitude for the workshop.
Participating student, Philip Judith shared her key takeaways from the seminar: “I learned about personal hygiene and menstrual health. I learned that I am special, I am valued, and I need to be respected.”
Another participant, Idowu Folorunsho, simply added: “I learnt we should keep ourselves clean.”
Student Ibukun Ekundayo noted the boost in morale, stating: “I learned a lot that as a female, don’t be ashamed of yourself, have confidence in yourself.”
Rounding off the reactions from the beneficiaries, Christina John appreciated the foundation’s outreach effort: “I learned a lot of things from this program, and I want to appreciate the organizers of this great initiative for this great initiative, and our school will not take it for granted.”
The distribution of free sanitary packs to over 400 attendees marked the conclusion of the event, leaving the students better prepared to navigate their academic and personal journeys with confidence.