By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
The First Lady of Anambra State, Dr (Mrs) Nonye Soludo, has advised schoolgirls to dismiss the false belief that sleeping with men can stop menstrual pain, describing it as a dangerous myth that exposes young girls to harm and can ruin their future.
Speaking during the National Launch of the Flow With Confidence Initiative of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), founded by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Mrs Soludo said menstrual pain is a normal biological experience that should never push any girl into risky behaviour.
The event, held in Awka on Wednesday, also featured the donation of 10,000 disposable sanitary pads to schoolgirls in Anambra State.
“There is a wrong belief out there that when a girl experiences painful menstruation, she needs to sleep with a man to stop the pain.
That is false, dangerous, and misleading,” Mrs Soludo warned. “Menstrual pain is natural, and no one should be deceived into making decisions that could destroy her future.”
The Anambra First Lady, who is also the founder of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, announced the launch of a Healthy Living Pad Bank Portal to provide schoolgirls with access to menstrual health information and sanitary pads.
She encouraged young girls to register on the platform to receive health tips and give feedback.
Mrs Soludo further revealed that her organisation has already established pad banks in 300 schools across the state to ensure that no girl misses school because of her period.
She also unveiled a new phase of her initiative, which will include more engagement sessions with girls and the distribution of sanitary packs alongside financial support.
Representing Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Mrs Soludo handed over 10,000 disposable sanitary pads to schoolgirls as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative’s nationwide effort to promote menstrual dignity.
Under the RHI project, each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory received 10,000 packs of customised sanitary pads—a total of 370,000 packs worth ₦2.55 billion—to last a year.
In her message, Senator Tinubu noted that menstrual health should never hinder a girl’s education.
“This intervention is designed to tackle the challenges girls face during their periods, which often cause absenteeism or school dropouts.
At RHI, we believe no girl should have to choose between her dignity and her education,” she said.
She urged local government chairmen to ensure the pads reach the intended beneficiaries and encouraged the girls to use them responsibly and stay confident.
Also speaking at the event, Dr Tonia Mbagwu, HIV/AIDS Programme Coordinator at the Anambra State Ministry of Health, educated students on menstrual hygiene practices.
She advised girls to change their sanitary pads every four to six hours, maintain personal hygiene, and dispose of used pads properly.
“Menstruation is not a disease or a curse,” Dr Mbagwu said.
“Don’t feel shy or ashamed. Care for yourself and support your friends.”
Prof Nkechi Ikediugwu, Chairman of the Post Primary Schools Service Commission, expressed gratitude to both Senator Tinubu and Mrs Soludo for their dedication to the health and confidence of young girls.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Ifeyinwa Ezeoke of Our Lady’s School, Nnobi, thanked the organisers.
“With these pads, we can stay confident and focused on our education without worry,” she said
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