By: Uzorigwe Gloria, Abakaliki.
‎

‎‎The wife of the Ebonyi State Governor, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has flagoff Every Girl Child a pad in Ebonyi State, aimed reaching over 10,000 teenage girls across the 13 local government areas of the state with sanitary pads and menstrual hygiene and health education.
‎
‎The program, organised in collaboration with the offices of the First Lady, Ministries of Education, Health, Women Affairs and Social and ministry of information and state Orientation Development, alongside the Better Health for Rural Women Foundation, was flagged off at the office of the first lady Centenary city alongside, Community Secondary School Ndiuruku Amagu in Abakaliki local Government Area commemorate the 2026 World menstrual hygiene day on Tuesday 26th day of May 2026.
‎
‎Speaking during the program, Mrs. Nwifuru said the programme was designed to promote hygiene, dignity, confidence, and school attendance among girls, particularly those in rural communities areas
‎
‎She notificed that many young girls miss schools and lessos during their menstrual periods due to lack of access to sanitary pads, stressing that menstruation should never be a barrier to education, learning or self-esteem.
‎
‎According to her, the initiative would provide sanitary pads and menstrual education to thousands of girls while also helping to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation.
‎
‎“Every girl child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn and thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
‎
‎”Menstruation is natural, and with the right information and support, every girl child can manage it confidently,” she said.
‎
‎The Governor wife also encouraged girls to study the book launched her called (The Teenage Companion), believe in themselves, maintain personal hygiene, and avoid negative influences capable of limiting their potential.
‎
‎She further appreciated the Governor of Ebonyi State for implementing policies that support women and the girl-child to achieve their full potential.
‎
‎Also speaking the team leader of Better Health for Rural Women (BERWO) Foundation cautioned girls against misconceptions linking menstruation with sexual activity, warning that no girl should be deceived into abuse under such false beliefs.

The Chairperson of Abakaliki Local Government Area Mrs Lydia Obioma Nwogba, commeded the Governor wife for her motherly love and care to the women in the state and for piloting the good people of the state through her Better Health for rural women Children and internally displaced.
‎
‎ The Coordinator of Abakaliki Development Centre, John Nwofoke, and the traditional ruler of Amagu Community, Eze Fidelis Nwonumaru, commended the state government and BERWO Foundation for promoting hygiene and girl-child development.
‎
‎The beneficiaries, including Miss Ogu Chinenye and Miss Uwakanma Celestina, expressed their gladness for the sensitisation, educational tools and Health supports received, promising to become worthy and abide to their teachings.