In a landmark move to promote menstrual hygiene and support adolescent girls, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has overseen the distribution of N2.5 billion worth of locally manufactured sanitary pads under her national menstrual health initiative, “Flow with Confidence.”
The programme, which aims to empower schoolgirls and reduce absenteeism caused by menstruation, was flagged off in Anambra State on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of the Light House in Awka.
The state received an allocation of 10,000 sanitary pad packs, which were distributed to teenage girls from selected schools, particularly targeting rural communities where access to menstrual hygiene products is limited.
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Representing the First Lady at the ceremony, Anambra State’s First Lady and Renewed Hope Initiative Coordinator, Dr Nonye Soludo, described the initiative as a timely intervention to address stigma, ridicule, and loss of confidence often associated with menstruation in schools.
She urged beneficiaries to use the pads responsibly and highlighted the health benefits of proper menstrual hygiene.
“It is wrong for girls to miss school during their periods because they cannot afford sanitary pads or fear stained clothes. Through this initiative, young girls will not only receive sanitary pads but also gain the confidence to embrace their education without disruption,” Soludo said.
The initiative, first launched in October 2025, plans to distribute a total of 370,000 sanitary pad packs nationwide, covering all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with each state receiving an allocation of 10,000 packs.
The project is designed to provide a one-year supply of pads, helping girls stay in school and maintain good hygiene.
Anambra State House of Assembly member Ifeoma Azikiwe commended the First Lady’s dedication to women’s welfare, noting that the programme would significantly reduce school absenteeism among girls and protect their dignity.
The event also featured a lecture from a female health expert who encouraged the girls to view menstruation as a natural and empowering process, rather than a source of shame.
Beneficiaries voiced their gratitude, highlighting that access to the sanitary pads would support both their education and self-esteem.
