As the world marks the International Day for the Girl-Child, the wife of Niger State governor, Dr Amina A. Bello, distributed 1000 sanitary towels to girls across the state.
The gesture, according to the first lady, was to help the girls in solving the issue of menstrual hygiene that most girls do not know how to handle.
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The towels were distributed at an event to commemorate the day.
She said the sanitary towels were reusable and could last for one year.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “My Voice, Our Equal Future”, Sani said it was an opportunity to be inspired by what adolescent girls see as the change they want, the big and small solutions they are leading and demanding across the globe.
“Women and girls represent half of the world’s population and, therefore, also half of its potential. Gender equality, a fundamental human right, is essential to achieve peaceful societies, with full human potential and sustainable development.
“Moreover, it has been shown that empowering women spurs productivity and economic growth hence we must all be willing to give our all in the support of this cause. As we join the international community to add our voice to the plight of the girl-child, we need to be resolute about ways to eliminate all forms of discrimination against girls, preach against negative cultural attitudes and practices as well as promote and protect the rights of girls and increase awareness of their needs and potential.
“We must change the narratives of always having women and girls becoming highest casuality in calamities like wars or communal clashes where they get killed, maimed, raped among other social vices, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa,” she said.
Also speaking was the Chairperson, Niger State House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs, Hon Binta Mamman, who said it was important to show interest and commitment in training the girl-child for growth and development of society.
