Erelu Fayemi Launches Pad Bank to Commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day.

By Tosin Faeji

The Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi launched a Pad
Bank targeted at giving 3,000 girls in schools sanitary pads every
year to commemorate 2021 World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Speaking at the launch of the programme held at the Adunni Olayinka
Women Centre, Ado-Ekiti, Erelu Fayemi disclosed that plans were
ongoing for local production of reusable pads in every local
government in Ekiti State.
“A lot has been said here today on menstrual hygiene and how this is
an issue that affects a lot of girls in our society. We have over 13
million out of school children in Nigeria, and 60per cent are girls.
There are many reasons why girls are not in school.
Sometimes it’s due to security issues, poverty; early pregnancy; and a
whole range of issues, but we are also aware that period poverty is
also a factor.”
“Now in our society today, there are many problems that we face. The
pad bank resonated with me because this is one problem that we can
fix. We might not be able to fix intractable poverty within a given
period. We might not be able to fix a whole range of issues that keep
us awake at night, but we can fix period poverty.
“This affects probably one out of every five girls or women, and it’s
something that is not new. But in the year 2021, we should not find
ourselves in a situation where poor girls or poor women have to
results to using crude methods to address this issue.”
“A lady produced the reusable pads we are distributing, and we will
bring her to Ekiti State to train people on production of the reusable
pads in every local government”, the First Lady added.
Erelu Fayemi said that the Nigerian Governors’ Wife Forum (NGWF) is
working on a proposition with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria
to see how the accessibility of these products can be addressed so
that the products are not out of reach of young girls and poor women.
“We are holding advocacy with the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry
and Investment to look into the issue of taxation on menstrual hygiene
products because we strongly believe that there should be no taxation
on menstrual hygiene products. And even if there should be any tax, it
should be heavily subsidized. If condoms can be free via our
interventions on HIV/AIDS, then menstrual hygiene products should be
free as well or heavily subsidized,” she affirmed.
She stated that the project was sponsored by her friends and Procter
and Gamble, who donated thousands of their Sanitary Pad products.
The Secretary to the State Government, Biodun Oyebanji who represented
the State Governor, said Ekiti State Government was yet to support the
programme but promised that a budgetary provision will be made for the
initiative.
Oyebanji urged the students to show appreciation to the First Lady by
staying in schools and not selling the pads.
Earlier in her goodwill message, the Commissioner for Women Affairs
and Social Development, Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade maintained that
Menstrual Hygiene Day is a day to speak out about menstruation and
raise voice to promote good menstrual hygiene.
She commended the Wife of the Governor for giving hope to the girls
and encouraged the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors that spread
words about menstrual hygiene.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Dr. Bimpe
Aderiye, lauded the First Lady on her contribution to the girl child
education in the state; explaining that she assisted in facilitating a
World Bank -assisted programme called, Adolescent Girls Initiative and
Learning Empowerment (AGILE); that will provide for all students needs
to stay in school.
The Head of Service, Mrs. Peju Babafemi reiterated that Erelu Fayemi
has diligently paid attention to the needs of girl child in the State.
Her efforts will shut the door to sexual violence.
Also speaking, Special Adviser to the Governor on Development
Partnerships/ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Margret Fagboyo,
pledged that the Ekiti State SDGs Office will support the initiative
with pads worth N2.4million.
Also present at the launch was the Attorney General and Commissioner
for Justice, Barr. Olawale Fapohunda; Commissioner for Budget and
Economic Planning, Mr. Femi Ajayi; Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House
of Assembly, Hon. Hakeem Jamiu; Chairman, Ekiti State Inland Revenue
Service, Mr. Muyiwa Ogunmilade; Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Tolu
Ibitola; House of Assembly members, Hon. Kemi Balogun and Hon. Yemisi
Ayokunle; and other top government dignitaries