A socio-political group, Cross River Jewels, has distributed sanitary pads to 1,000 schoolgirls in Calabar, Cross River State, as part of activities marking International Women’s Day, in a campaign aimed at promoting menstrual health and keeping girls in school.

The initiative covered five public secondary schools — Government Secondary School, Barracks Road; Government Secondary School, State Housing; Government Technical School, Mayne Avenue; Government Secondary School, TTC Ikot Ansa; and Government Secondary School, Atu — where each beneficiary received a three-month supply of sanitary pads.

Director-General of the group, Precious Besong, led members of the organisation during the outreach, which also included health talks and mentoring sessions for the students.

Organisers said the intervention was designed to reduce the economic and social pressures faced by many teenage girls who struggle to afford sanitary products, a situation that often leads to school absenteeism during menstrual periods.

“The pads are meant to last each student for about three months, helping them stay focused on their studies without worrying about menstrual hygiene,” the group said.

Beyond the distribution, facilitators also engaged the students in menstrual health education, encouraging them to prioritise personal hygiene, build self-confidence and remain committed to their education.

The initiative received support from Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, who reportedly provided financial assistance after learning about the programme.

Besong expressed appreciation to the senator for backing the initiative despite not being from Cross River State.

“Seeing the excitement and relief on the faces of these young girls is deeply fulfilling,” she said. “This programme has become an annual tradition for Cross River Jewels, and we remain committed to empowering the girl child and supporting communities.”

Some of the students who benefited from the outreach described the support as timely and impactful, noting that access to sanitary products would help them concentrate better on their studies.