Daud Olatunji
In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, the Rotary Club of Abeokuta Royal held a special event at Baptist Girls College, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, where they distributed 500 sanitary pads to students and inaugurated the school’s Interact Club.
The event, tagged “Pad of 500 Girls,” aimed to empower young girls by addressing menstrual hygiene, providing leadership development opportunities, and advocating for equal rights for girls.
Speaking to newsmen during the event, Rotarian Adetonike Ganiyat Kazeem, the president of the Rotary Club of Abeokuta Royal, highlighted the importance of menstrual hygiene and the economic challenges facing girls and women.
She lamented the skyrocketing cost of sanitary pads, which has increased from ₦180 to ₦2,000, making it difficult for many girls to afford them.
“Pad is an essential thing for every lady while growing up; it is part of our personal hygiene. We are here to encourage and help these girls because, despite the economic challenges, a girl must always stand out,” Kazeem said.
She urged the government to make sanitary pads freely available to girls, stressing that menstrual hygiene is a fundamental right.
“Whether you eat or not, you must provide ₦2,000 monthly as a girl. It’s not a big deal for the government to assist society in this regard.”
Kazeem also emphasised the need for girls to take pride in their personal hygiene, particularly during their menstrual cycles.
“A lady must take good care of herself during her period. It’s a five-day thing, and proper hygiene is critical to avoid infections and maintain confidence,” she added.
Rotarian Fatima Hassan, the Interact Chairperson for Rotary District 9111, who represented the District Governor, Rotarian Oluwole Kukoyi, spoke about Rotary’s efforts to build leadership skills among young girls.
“Rotary is a service organisation where individuals come together to impact the community. Today, we chartered the youngest part of Rotary—the Interactors.
These are students in secondary schools where we imbibe leadership and Rotary skills in them to shape them into better individuals for the future,” she said.
Hassan also highlighted the persistent issue of gender inequality, particularly in education and employment opportunities for girls.
She pointed out that some parents still prioritise education for male children over female children, leading to early marriages or limited educational prospects for girls.
“We are all humans first before our gender. The major challenge is the inequality we perceive in some areas.
“Some organisations won’t employ a lady just because she’s female. The most important thing is who can do the job,” Hassan noted.
The event saw active collaboration with the Ogun State government, represented by Mrs. Adenike Ajala, the Director of Child Development Services, Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Ajala commended the Rotary Club for their initiative and reiterated the government’s commitment to improving the economic conditions for girls.
“I am here to represent the honorable commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development.
The government is partnering with Rotary Club to support programs like this, which help alleviate economic hardships and improve menstrual hygiene for girls,” she said.
Olamide Lawal, Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor on Youth Development, also lauded the partnership with the Rotary Club.
He emphasised the government’s focus on exposing girls to vocational skills and leadership training.
“The government is giving scholarships to 1,000 girls for vocational skills training, and this will be reviewed yearly.
“We believe girls play vital roles in society, and it’s crucial to equip them with leadership and economic sustainability skills,” Lawal stated.
Rotarian Olamide Akinode, the chairperson of the “Pad Up the Girls” project, provided insights into the financial aspect of the initiative.
“This year’s project is over a million-naira investment. We are grateful to members and donors who supported us,” Akinode revealed.
She underscored that the event was not just about distributing sanitary pads but also educating the girls on personal hygiene and how to care for themselves during their menstrual cycles.
“With the knowledge imparted and the distribution of sanitary pads, we are confident it will have a lasting impact on these girls,” she added.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that the Rotary Club’s event at Baptist Girls College provided more than just sanitary pads—it was a call to action for improved menstrual hygiene, gender equality, and leadership development for girls.
As Nigeria continues to face economic challenges, initiatives like this are crucial in ensuring that girls are not left behind.
The Rotary Club of Abeokuta Royal, alongside the Ogun State government, is paving the way for a future where girls have equal opportunities to succeed and contribute meaningfully to society.
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