No girl should miss school due to menstruation – Katsina First Lady

Zulaihat Dikko Radda, the First Lady of Katsina State, has declared that no girl in the State should miss school because of menstruation, as she intensified efforts to promote menstrual hygiene and girls’ education.

She made this known on Tuesday during the nationwide distribution of sanitary pads to schoolgirls in Katsina under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), a project of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

Radda explained that the programme is designed to tackle the challenges faced by schoolgirls, especially in rural communities, who often skip classes due to lack of access to sanitary products.

“As a society, we must ensure that no Katsina girl misses classes because of menstruation. Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe and supportive environment,” she said.

According to her, “no fewer than 10,000 schoolgirls across Katsina State will receive a year’s supply of disposable sanitary pads, as part of a nationwide intervention targeting 370,000 beneficiaries”.

Governor Radda, who also serves as the State coordinator of the initiative, noted that beyond providing hygiene products, the programme seeks to restore confidence among young girls and eliminate the stigma surrounding menstruation.

She called on local government authorities, community leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure transparency in the distribution process, while also urging corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the initiative.

Reaffirming her commitment, she stressed that empowering girls with the right resources would enable them to pursue their education without interruption.

Earlier, Musa Adamu-Funtua, the Katsina State Commissioner for Health, described the initiative as a timely intervention aimed at improving hygiene practices and promoting the overall well-being of young girls.

He commended stakeholders for their support, noting that collaborative efforts among government institutions, families, and community leaders are essential for achieving sustainable health outcomes.

Also speaking, Jamila Adam, the President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), Katsina Branch, said the initiative was a critical step toward addressing the needs of adolescent girls.

She highlighted challenges such as limited awareness, poor access to sanitary products, and the stigma associated with menstruation, which continue to affect many schoolgirls.

Adam reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting programmes that improve menstrual hygiene and promote the health and dignity of girls across the State.