By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Healthy Living Initiative, an NGO run by the Anambra State Governor’s wife, Dr. Nonye Soludo, on Thursday distributed over 25,000 packs of sanitary pads to more than 350 schools across the state.

The First Lady disclosed this during the 2026 Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration held at the Light House, Awka.

She noted that the NGO has successfully established sanitary pad banks in over 350 schools across Anambra State, with periodic refilling based on needs and usage.

Her words: “So far, over 25,000 packs of sanitary pads have been distributed through this initiative to support our school girls.

“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.

“For many girls, knowing that help is available during their menstrual cycle has removed fear, anxiety, and embarrassment from the classroom experience,”

Mrs Soludo stressed that as the world marks this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day, she stands before the girls not only as a mother, woman, and wife of the Governor of Anambra State, but also as an advocate for dignity, health, confidence, and the future of children, especially girls.

According to her, menstruation is a natural part of life and should never be seen as a curse or taboo.

She explained that menstruation is not something any girl should be ashamed of, stressing that across many communities, countless girls still suffer in silence because of stigma, poor hygiene education, lack of sanitary materials, and harmful cultural misconceptions.

While noting that some girls are isolated, mocked, restricted from certain activities, or made to feel unclean and inferior during their menstrual periods, Mrs. Soludo added,

“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.”

The First Lady further stressed that a healthy society begins with healthy families, while healthy families are built by informed, confident, and empowered women and girls.

She also stated that through the Healthy Living Initiative, the organisation has continued to promote cleanliness, proper hygiene, nutrition, physical wellness, and preventive healthcare across homes, communities, and schools in Anambra State.

According to her, “Good health is not a luxury but a right and a lifestyle.

“Among the six cardinal pillars of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, hygiene, both personal and environmental, remains one of the most critical.

“This is because we understand that healthy habits formed early in life help 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 importance 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.”

While further advocating for the building of a society where no girl is forced to choose between her education and her biological reality, she said: “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.

“I encourage parents to educate their daughters with love and openness. I urge schools to sustain menstrual hygiene awareness and provide supportive environments for girls.

“I also call on communities, religious institutions, corporate organisations, and development partners to join hands in breaking the silence around menstruation.

“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.

“God bless Anambra State. God bless our beautiful and amazing women and girls. And may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she added.

The First advised the girls to change their sanitary pads every six hours, wash their hands regularly, and maintain proper personal hygiene by bathing consistently.

She also enjoined all Nonye Soludo Healthy Living Ambassadors to continue caring for girls in their various schools, stressing that whatever values and lessons they teach the girls now would remain with them as they grow.