The Golden Initiative For All (GIFA), a pet project of the wife of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Patience Umo Eno, has intensified efforts to promote menstrual hygiene awareness among young girls, with the Acting First Lady, Mrs Helen Eno-Obareki, urging adolescents to maintain high standards of personal hygiene during their menstrual cycles.
As part of this initiative, a sensitisation programme was rolled out across public secondary schools within the Ikot Ekpene Federal Constituency—covering Ikot Ekpene, Obot Akara, and Essien Udim local government areas. The outreach saw hundreds of teenage girls educated on proper menstrual hygiene practices, while also receiving sanitary pads and other essential materials to support effective menstrual health management.
The programme, themed “Understanding Menstruation,” was held at Grooves Memorial Methodist Church in Ikot Ekpene, drawing participants from the three local government areas.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Eno-Obareki, who serves as Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady and Chairman of GIFA’s Board of Trustees, described period poverty as a largely overlooked issue that continues to impact the confidence, education, and future prospects of many young girls.
Addressing the 500 selected students and other attendees, she emphasised that menstruation is a natural and healthy aspect of womanhood that should not be associated with shame, fear, or stigma. She stressed the importance of education and access to hygiene products in enabling girls to manage their periods with confidence and dignity.
“No girl should miss school, feel embarrassed, or be limited because of her period. I encourage you all to speak openly, ask questions, and seek guidance when needed. There is no shame in understanding your body—knowledge empowers,” she said.
Mrs Eno-Obareki also commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her support in distributing sanitary pads to over 370,000 schoolgirls nationwide through the Renewed Hope Initiative’s “Flow With Confidence” campaign, noting that the effort is helping to keep girls in school and improve their academic performance.
She further lauded the state governor for prioritising human capital development through the ARISE Agenda, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and the welfare of women and children.