By Jane Mann-Effiong
In a move to promote menstrual hygiene and improve school attendance among adolescent girls, the Young Leaders Network (YLN), a non-governmental organisation based in Bauchi State, has donated pad banks and sanitary materials to two secondary schools in the state.
The beneficiary schools are Special Education Centre, Yelwa, Bauchi, and Hope Academy, Bauchi.
The intervention is part of the organisation’s ongoing work under the EmpowerHER Adolescent Girls Mentorship Club, implemented through the Strengthening Advocacy for Girls’ Education (SAGE) Project in partnership with Malala Fund.
Each school received a branded pad bank in addition to 100 packs of sanitary pads, aimed at ensuring that girls do not miss school because of menstruation.
Speaking on the initiative, Charity Solomon, Programs Manager, Quality and Inclusive Education at Young Leaders Network, said the donation was driven by the need to protect girls’ dignity and keep them in school.
“We are donating these items to ensure that no girl stays at home because she is menstruating. No girl should suffer shame or embarrassment because she is menstruating,” she said.
According to Charity, the SAGE Project focuses on promoting equitable access to secondary education for girls, strengthening gender-responsive policies, and encouraging sustainable education financing.
At the Special Education Centre, Yelwa, the Principal, Ameera Salisu Garba, described the donation as timely and impactful.
“Usually when some of our students are menstruating, some do not come to school or they use rags. But with this donation, it will go a long way in helping our students, as they are special people with special needs,” she said.
Also speaking, Ummi Salma Hassan, one of the Head Girls of the school, said the initiative had taught girls how to care for themselves properly.
“We are grateful because now girls in our school understand better how to take care of themselves and stay clean,” she said.
Rukayat Ahmed, an SS3 student and second Head Girl of Special Education Centre who signed her speech, said that the more matured girls will benefit from the donation as lack of pads have prevented some of the girls in the past from attending classes.
At Hope Academy, the Principal, Mr. Stevenson Adejo, noted that the pad banks would help the school respond quickly when students are caught unprepared.
“We have had cases where students start menstruating suddenly and are not prepared. We have had to run around to get pads for them, especially when we run out and cannot restock immediately. This donation will really help,” he said.
The Vice Principal of the school added that the management would engage the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and other stakeholders to sustain the initiative.
The Head Girl of the school, Matina Irmiya, thanked YLN for restoring dignity to female students.
“Sometimes our fellow students cannot afford pads. This initiative gives girls confidence and dignity,” she said.
Charity Solomon also called on the government and other stakeholders to replicate the project across the state.
“We hope that the government, other CSOs, philanthropists, and everyone who supports education will replicate this initiative and ensure that schools are safe and conducive for every girl to learn freely,” she said.
YLN further disclosed that the pad bank donation initiative will be extended to Government Senior Secondary School, Bauchi, as part of its broader effort to keep girls in school and promote gender-responsive education.