The Wife of Ebonyi State governor, Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has distributed free sanitary pads and deodorants to female pupils in some secondary schools in the state.

Mrs Nwifuru distributed the items on Tuesday during her tour of schools in Abakaliki to mark the World Menstrual Hygiene Day.

She also educated the students on the essence of menstrual hygiene in order to avoid diseases.

She noted that the exercise would help pupils in the proper usage, cost-effective solutions and how to make low-cost sanitary pads, which is life changing.

She urged them to remain clean to avoid contracting diseases during the period.

In her remarks, the Director of Child Institute, Alex-Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Dr Thecla Ezeonu, raised the awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene.

Ms Ezeonu also tutored the pupils on menstrual circle and issues faced by those lacking access to menstrual products.

She said that the sensitisation tackled the stigma often associated with menstruation, hygienic spaces in which to use sanitary pads and the right to manage menstruation without shame and stigma.

“It is essential for anyone who menstruates and a thing of dignity to always practise regular hand washing,” he said.

The Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated every May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene.

The governor’s wife took her enlightenment campaign and gift items to Modern Comprehensive College, Girls’ Secondary School and Station Urban Girls’ High School, Azuiyoku, among others.

(NAN)