Adolescent girls smile in Southeast, as sanitary pad banks are opened
About 24,670 Adolescent girls from Rivergee, Maryland, Grand Kru and Sinoe Counties were in a joyous mood in recent times.
This is as a result of Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor officially opening sanitary pad banks in six schools. The sanitary pad bank project which is led by VP Howard-Taylor is a continuation of the Spotlight Initiative funding implemented by UNFPA through Plan Liberia in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President.
The project under the theme: “Reducing Girls Absenteeism In Schools Through The Establishment Of Sanitary Pad Banks And Menstrual & Health Hygiene Awareness” , is necessary in ensuring that adolescent girls and young women in schools and communities are provided essential services including quality sanitary pads ( Reusable and Disposable), Sexual Reproductive health rights information, menstrual hygiene awareness, training on distribution and usage of sanitary pads in an efficient and effective manner.
A total of 15,500 beneficiaries in the South East Liberia received reusable pads with 9,170 beneficiaries receiving disposable pads, and 155 beneficiaries receiving family planning items in six schools across four counties.
Speaking with beneficiaries across the counties, Liberia’s Vice President emphasized that “this project helps to ensure that girls are in school, and absenteeism minimized by providing them the materials needed to remain in school during menstrual periods,and focus on their educational sojourns”.
At the official handover ceremony before departure to the Southeast, Vice President Howard-Taylor and UNFPA Country Representative, Madam Bidisha Pillai highlighted the importance of girls being knowledgeable about their bodies and understanding the choices they make including menstrual health and menstrual hygiene.
Written by
Gradiah Walker Bou Hussein
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