Etinan local government Council has joined the global community to mark year 2026 menstrual hygiene day.
The event which took place at the Council’s secretariat field had in attendance school girls drawn from public secondary schools within the local government area.
Addressing the school girls, the wife of the local government chairman, Mrs Emily Uko Umoh, described menstrual flow in women as an age long occurance that signals a transition into womanhood.
She pointed out that menstrual flow in women is neither a sickness nor disease and urged every girl child not to miss school due to her monthly flow
.
Mrs Umoh commended the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for ensuring that the pad a girl child initiative reaches the grassroots.
She also appreciated the governor of Akwa Ibom state, Pastor Umo Eno, Ph.D, and coordinator office of the First Lady, Akwa Ibom State, Mrs Helen Eno Obareki, for ensuring the aim is achieved in the state.
“To the executive chairman of Etinan Local Government Area, Hon. Uko Umoh, thank you very much for the additional gift items for our girls. These items which will last for one year is to ensure that no girl child misses class because of her monthly flow”
A resource person, Mrs Ekaete Ukpong, who educated the girls on the causes of the flow urged them to run away from anything that will cause the flow to cease while they are still in school.
“I am here to empower you to flow with pride, flow with confidence. Menstruation is not a disease but mere shedding of tears by the uterus. Run away from anything that can stop the flow. It may come with abdominal pains, fever or mood change but you must take yours studies serious” she said
Setting the tone earlier, the Director for Social Development Education, Information, Sports and Culture, Mrs Inimbom Edet, said the world came together in 2014 and set aside May 28 every year as Menstrual Hygiene Day.
She commended the wife of the President, Coordinator Office of the Akwa Ibom First Lady for ensuring that girls in rural communities flow with confidence in the next one year.
Items donated include sanitary pad, menstrual pants, pant hangers, sponge, detergents, packs of shaving sticks, roll on perfumes and body sprays.
The event was attended by the Vice Chairman, Hon Imaobong Michael, Supervisor for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Hon Udeme Ekaenang, Rt.Hon. Eno Okoko, Prof Usen Ikpe, Mrs Mercy Udoekwere, female supervisors, female personal aides to the governor, female political stakeholders among others.
