The Editor
The wife of Anambra State governor, Dr Nonye Soludo, has strongly advocated the importance of good menstrual hygiene management, calling for an end to every form of discrimination, stigma, and harmful practices against menstruating women and girls.
Soludo pointed out that menstruation is neither a curse nor a taboo, but a natural part of life, which no girl or woman should be ashamed of.
The Anambra first lady stated this at the Light House, Awka, on Thursday, during her address to mark the ‘World Menstrual Hygiene Day’, noting that celebrating this year’s menstrual hygiene day was a clear understanding of the challenges before girls in their pursuit of a safe and great future.
Addressing over 2,000 students drawn from secondary schools across the state Soludo said she has established 350 sanitary pad banks across secondary schools in the state through her non-governmental organisation, ‘Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo’ to assist young girls during their menstrual cycle.
She added that through the pad banks, students are supplied pads when needed and on a regular basis, without having to skip classes.
She said, “As we celebrate this year’s ‘Menstrual Hygiene Day’, I stand before you, not just as a mother, a woman, or the wife of the Governor of Anambra State, but as an advocate for dignity, health, confidence, and the future of our children, especially girls.
“Menstruation is a natural part of life. It is not a curse. It is not a taboo. It is not something any girl should be ashamed of. Yet, across many communities, countless girls still suffer in silence because of stigma, poor hygiene education, lack of sanitary materials, and harmful cultural and social misconceptions.
“Some are isolated, mocked, restricted from certain activities, or made to feel unclean and inferior during their menstrual cycle. This should never be so.
“Today, I lend my voice strongly to the call for an end to every form of discrimination, stigma, and harmful practices against menstruating women and girls.
“We must replace shame with understanding, silence with education, and exclusion with compassion and support. Every girl deserves to experience her womanhood with dignity, confidence, and pride, not fear or humiliation. This is why conversations like this are important.”
According to her, a healthy society begins with healthy families and healthy families are built by informed, confident, and empowered women and girls, adding that her ‘Healthy Living Initiative’ has continued to promote cleanliness, proper hygiene, nutrition, physical wellness, and preventive healthcare across homes, communities and schools in Anambra State.
She added that she is championing over six cardinal pillars of healthy living – both personal and environmental – through her NGO, ‘Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo’, because hygiene, remains one of the most critical element of guaranteed growth.
She also encouraged parents to educate their daughters with love and openness, urging schools to sustain menstrual hygiene awareness and provide supportive environments for girls.
According to her, so far, over 25,000 packs of sanitary pads have been distrubuted through the healthy living initiative to support school girls, noting that these pad banks have not only improved personal hygiene among young girls, but have also restored confidence, reduced absenteeism, and created a more comfortable environment for learning and concentration in schools.
“We believe that good health is not a luxury, it is a right. It is lifestyle. This is because we understand that healthy habits formed early in life help to build healthier homes, healthier communities, and a healthier society.
“Through several interventions in schools across Anambra State, especially through our ‘Healthy Living School Clubs’, we have continued to educate and empower children on the necessity and benefits of proper hygiene.
“We are intentionally raising a generation of children who understand cleanliness, self-care, environmental responsibility, and healthy living practices.
“I am also particularly proud that through our movement, we have gone beyond advocacy to practical intervention.
“Today, our NGO has successfully established sanitary pad banks in over 350 schools across Anambra State, with periodic refilling based on needs and usage.
“For many girls, knowing that help is available during their menstrual cycle has removed fear, anxiety, and embarrassment from the classroom experience.
“This is the kind of society we must continue to build; one where no girl is forced to choose between her education and her biological reality. As a government and as compassionate citizens, we must continue to create safe spaces where girls can learn, ask questions freely, and receive proper support without fear or embarrassment.
“To our young girls in Anambra State, I say this clearly today: You are strong. You are valuable. You are beautifully created. Your dreams are valid, and nothing, not even your monthly cycle, should stop you from becoming the best version of yourselves.
“Let us continue to build an Anambra where every girl child grows with confidence, dignity, knowledge, and access to proper healthcare and hygiene. I also call on communities, religious institutions, corporate organisations, and development partners to join hands in breaking the silence around menstruation,” she added.
The event was attended by female pupils from schools across the state alongside their guiding councillors and ambassadors.
