In commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child, an Abuja-based advocacy group known as Women of Glory initiated and successfully executed the “Pad a Girl” project.

This impactful project focused on ensuring the equitable distribution of sanitary pads to 1000 school girls while also raising awareness about menstrual hygiene and overall sanitary health.

The outreach program took place at Junior Secondary School Damangaza, Lokogoma-Abuja. The event had a sublime effect on the schoolgirls as they responded with glee at the enlightenment session and joined in expressing their excitement by revibrating the dance floor.

The president of Women of Glory, Lady Lucy Nwajideobi, in a cheerful demeanour, noted that women, young girls, and children are essentially the nucleus of the group’s values.

She noted that the ‘Pad a Girl’ initiative is geared toward educating the girl child about sanitary health; re-echoing their voices, and breaking any stereotypical confines that seek to deter them from achieving their dreams.

She stated: “This is a core part of our mandate. We always want to inspire and teach young girls and children. Today is the International Day of the Girl Child, it is a reminder that she is important, she is seen, she is unique and beautiful. We want them to understand that the menstrual cycle is not ugly, it is a beautiful cycle. This is a reminder to the government and culturally biased individuals that women are breaking barriers. The girl child is a powerful voice.”

The Head of Helping Hands, Women of Glory, Sylvia Dickson, reiterated the group’s commitment to women-related issues and the sacrosanctity of women in shaping society.

“We are excited to witness the joy in the faces of these schoolgirls. Women are the divine channel of recreation second to God. Women are the heart of every nation. It is important to ensure the girl child is well-educated on hygiene and this was our mission today.”

One of the Teachers, Mrs Maria Olom, showered encomium on the group and urged girls to always stand up for themselves when she said: “I am very excited to see the Women of Glory in our school. They have educated our girls and we’re super excited. I urge girls to be neat, hygienic, and always be bold to stand up for themselves.”

Also, the Head Girl of the school, Olujide Elizabeth, who spoke on behalf of the girls in elation, described the initiative as timely and enlightening.

“May God bless the Women of Glory for coming to our school at this time. We learned how to keep our bodies clean. We hope to have more enlightenment initiatives like this one,” she said.