Coordinator Office of the First Lady Champions Enhanced Hygiene Education for Grassroots Girls
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By Adesuwa Ehimuan
Benin City, Edo State – In a concerted effort to promote better hygiene practices among young girls at the grassroots level, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani, Coordinator, Office of the First Lady, called for strengthened hygienic sensitization during a meeting with representatives of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Edo State. The gathering was held at the First Lady’s Office in Government House, Benin City, and was led by MWAN Edo State President, Dr. Irene Akhideno.
Mrs. Anani expressed her gratitude to the delegation for their visit and underscored the indispensable role of the medical sector in societal well-being. “The medical sector is part of our system. If you don’t have healthy people, you actually don’t have a state or a nation,” she stated.
Addressing the challenges faced by the girl-child and women who have experienced violations, Mrs. Anani emphasized that assistance must go beyond the provision of basic necessities. “When we are talking about women who have been violated, we don’t just want to talk about giving them starter packs. We want to disabuse their minds and counsel them regarding the experiences they have had,” she explained.
Highlighting the plight of girls in rural areas, Mrs. Anani noted, “No matter how advanced some communities might be, there are still girls who have never seen a sanitary pad and continue to rely on traditional materials like rags. It is essential that we educate them on proper hygiene—such as the importance of regular bathing and wearing clean clothes—to help prevent related illnesses from an early age.”
Dr. Irene Akhideno reinforced the importance of a collaborative approach in advancing public health initiatives. “We are an association, but each of us is engaged in various sectors—whether at the State, Federal, or private levels. However, we all recognize that the health of our country cannot be the sole responsibility of the Government,” she remarked.
Dr. Akhideno also detailed MWAN’s active role in promoting menstrual hygiene and supporting broader community health initiatives. “We conduct extensive outreach programs and observe Menstrual Hygiene Week. Last year alone, we distributed over 1,000 menstrual hygiene kits. Additionally, we celebrate the boy child by engaging with them in schools to provide positive role models,” she added.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of a gift to the First Lady, who reaffirmed her commitment to collaborating with MWAN on future programmes designed to improve the lives of the girl-child across Edo State.
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