“The pathway to sustainable adolescent health begins with dignity, education, and access. Menstrual equity is no longer optional—it is essential.”
In a coordinated response to menstrual health challenges affecting adolescent girls in public schools, the Rotary Club of Akure Metro, District 9126, in collaboration with the Ondo State Ministry of Health, distributed 1,000 sanitary pads to selected schools to combat period poverty and raise awareness on menstrual hygiene management.
The initiative, launched as part of activities marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, aligns with global health priorities and Rotary International’s Youth Service Month. It aims to mitigate school absenteeism linked to poor menstrual hygiene and dismantle cultural taboos surrounding menstruation.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Rotary Club of Akure Metro, Dr. Toyin Adeyalo-Ogundare, said the intervention was a deliberate effort to protect the dignity of schoolgirls and improve their educational outcomes through access to safe and hygienic menstrual hygiene materials.
“We are here today to say menstruation is not a curse, nor a cause for shame,” she stated. “It is a natural biological process that deserves our collective support. By distributing these sanitary pads, we affirm that every girl deserves to manage her period safely, hygienically, confidently, and with dignity.”
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Adeniran Ikuomola, lauded Rotary’s grassroots impact model and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening adolescent and youth reproductive health programming in Ondo State.
“This collaboration is critical,” he noted. “Menstrual hygiene directly impacts a girl’s health, education, and social well-being. The Ondo State Government is committed to policies that protect and empower girls, especially in underserved communities.”
The Director of Family Health, Ondo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Aladeniyi Isaac, stated that the intervention was inclusive and that girls with disabilities were not left out.
“We ensured that people with disabilities were adequately captured in this effort,” he said. “Our department is focused on inclusiveness and leaving no one behind.”
A menstrual hygiene education lecture was delivered by Dr. Olumide Akadri, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist. He addressed common myths surrounding menstruation and equipped the students with accurate information and practical skills for proper menstrual care.
In attendance were representatives from the Ondo State Ministries of Education, Environment, and other key stakeholders in the adolescent health space.
As Nigeria works toward improved adolescent health outcomes under SDGs 3 and 5, the Rotary-government partnership has been hailed as a model for rights-based, sustainable approaches to menstrual health.
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