Zobam Foundation Boosts Menstrual Hygiene With 10,000 Sanitary Pads In Anambra
The Zobam Foundation says it has distributed over 10,000 sanitary pads to adolescent girls in 40 secondary schools in Anambra since it started the “Give A Girl A Pad” project in 2019.
Mrs Maureen Okolieukwu, the Founder of Zobam Foundation says this during the 2026 edition of the annual Menstrual Hygiene Day and Symposium in Awka on Thursday.
The symposium which had students from 10 secondary schools in attendance featured drama and quiz competition on menstrual health related issues as well as distribution of sanitary pads.
Okolieukwu said the Menstrual Hygiene Day and Symposium was meant to demystify menstruation among young girls, empower them with access to sanitary pads as well confidence to manage the stigma associated with monthly periods.
“We started this programme in 2019 and we have consistently organised this menstrual hygiene day and symposium every year.
“During the period, we have reached out to 40 schools in Anambra and distributed not less than 10, 000 sanitary pads to young girls.
“We have a menstrual hygiene club through which we want to take our message to the rural and remote areas of the state, so we are calling on the state government to support this initiative,” she said.
Also speaking, Prof. Chinyere Okunna, a doyenne of Mass Communication said the development and productivity of the girl child was being hindered because of the challenges with menstrual health.
Okunna said many women did not have access to sanitary pads due to poverty and had to resort to pieces of clothes which exposed them to diseases and sicknesses.
She commended the foundation for the initiative and consistency and called in government, corporate organisations and individuals to take a cue and support the girl child to achieve good menstrual health.
She said women suffered more in poor performing economies as many of them could not afford basic hygiene items, thereby exposing themselves to diseases.
“This is why we are calling for increased awareness and support for women in the area of menstrual health because many girls stay at home during menstruation as a result of their inability to manage clean and healthy menstruation,” he said.
