MWAN tasks government on support for children amid insecurity, poverty

Donates sanitary pads, books to schools in Edo

Edo State chapter of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN), yesterday, hailed children for their strength and dedication despite the challenges of survival, insecurity and poverty.

Speaking in Benin City at the commemoration of the World Children’s Day (WCD), its president, Dr. Adesuwa Urhoghide Edigin, appreciated Nigerian children for their love, devotion to their studies and their quest to develop to impact society positively.

Celebrating the Nigerian child, Edigin said: “The Edo branch of MWAN visited and donated gifts to children in the Pediatrics Wards at the Central Hospital, Edo Specialist Hospital, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital (FNPH) and the Central Hospital’s Dental centre’s pediatrics clinic and crèche at FNPH.  

“Children’s day is celebrated on May 27 every year and in agreement with this year’s theme: Unite To Reverse The Impact Of COVID-19 Pandemic On Our Children, we as parents and guardians are united to reverse the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on our children.”

Also, the MWAN donated sanitary pads and books on hygiene to over 100 school libraries in the 18 councils of Edo State to improve girl-child knowledge on menstruation matters.

Edigin said the gesture was part of the association’s commitment to mark the 2021 World Menstrual Hygiene Day (WMHD) adding that menstruation was a vital part of puberty development of the girl-child.

Speaking on how to we keep good menstrual hygiene, Edigin said the female gender must have sanitary pads kept every month, keep a menstrual calendar noting the first day of menstruation, as well as change sanitary pads every six to eight hours.

While advising the girl-child to discard sanitary pads appropriately in a waste disposal after use, Edigin stressed the need for them to take their bath every morning and night.

Edigin, who also donated sanitary and emergency pads, said educating girls on menstrual matters was crucial in providing the female gender a sense of belonging and knowledge on menstruation and menstrual hygiene.

Some of the schools visited are, Sacred Hearts Secondary School, Don Bosco Science Academy, Emotan Secondary School, Ebenezer Secondary School, Gabus Academy, Adolor College, Idia College, Standard Secondary School, Word of Faith Secondary School and UNIBEN Staff Secondary School, among others.