Empowerment

Cerba Lancet Menstrual Hygiene Campaign Empowers Lagos Schoolgirls with Health Education

Published

1 year ago

July 15, 2025

Cerba Lancet menstrual hygiene campaign equips Lagos girls with reproductive health education and free sanitary pads to boost confidence and equality

Cerba Lancet menstrual hygiene campaign is empowering young girls in Lagos with vital reproductive health education and free sanitary supplies, offering a boost to their confidence, well-being, and future prospects.

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Over 1,000 female students at Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ojo, benefited from the 2025 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme spearheaded by the multinational diagnostics company, Cerba Lancet Nigeria, in commemoration of its ongoing Pad-Up initiative.

Medical experts who addressed the students emphasised that when girls are equipped with accurate information and adequate resources, they are better able to manage their periods without shame or stigma, leading to improved health and educational outcomes.

Cerba Lancet Nigeria’s Medical Director, Dr Fred Obiajulu, explained the importance of the initiative in fostering gender equality and minimising reproductive health complications.

“When a girl is healthy, society is healthy,” he said. “Suppressing the girl child leads to the regression of any society. That’s why we are anchoring this project—to train them to manage their reproductive health from the onset.”

Obiajulu stressed that the Pad-Up programme aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 3, which focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

“The girl child is central to the SDGs, especially in areas of gender equality and reproductive health. Any society that suppresses its girls will never progress,” he added.

He further educated the students on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), noting its hormonal implications and the importance of medical diagnosis.

“PCOS involves multiple cysts in the ovaries, which can disrupt hormone production and menstrual cycles. Treatment varies by individual and should be guided by a physician,” he explained.

They now understand what an irregular or discoloured period could mean. Knowing the difference between a short and long cycle gives them confidence.

Speaking on the broader impact of the initiative, Cerba Lancet Nigeria’s Head of Business Development and Marketing, Temitope Ambrose, said Pad-Up has been running for eight years, reaching rural and urban communities alike.

“Cerba Lancet is committed to community health. Pad-Up is our flagship CSR effort, and we ensure no girl is left behind. We provide education, confidence, and better hygiene practices,” Ambrose said.

The school’s Commandant, Captain Yakubu Haruna, praised the effort, calling it “educational and timely,” and urging more organisations to replicate such interventions.

“Today’s event is quite interesting because it is educational. We’ve been looking forward to such programmes to teach them how to care for their bodies and properly dispose of sanitary pads,” Haruna said.

Mrs Musa Janet, the School Matron, described the session as deeply impactful, noting that the students now have a better grasp of irregular menstrual cycles, hygiene, and health indicators.

“They now understand what an irregular or discoloured period could mean. Knowing the difference between a short and long cycle gives them confidence,” she said.

The initiative concluded with the distribution of free sanitary pads to all participants, underlining Cerba Lancet Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive health, dignity, and empowerment for Nigerian girls.

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By advancing menstrual health education, the Cerba Lancet menstrual hygiene campaign reinforces a future where every girl has the tools and knowledge to thrive.

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State development

Bauchi Urges Girls to Pursue Education and Skilled Jobs

Published

3 weeks ago

October 26, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Bauchi girls’ education campaign urges students to complete school, learn vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men

Girls in Bauchi State have been encouraged to complete their education, acquire vocational skills and pursue careers traditionally dominated by men as part of efforts to promote financial independence and reduce gender inequality.

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The call was made on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at an event in Bauchi to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.

The event was organised under the Renewed Women’s Voice and Leadership Project in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria, Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, and Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative.

Speaking at the event, Mustapha Idris, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at Fahimta Women and Youth Development Initiative, said the annual observance aimed to raise awareness of girls’ rights and promote their well-being.

He said the programme was designed to encourage girls to explore a wider range of professions and address gender disparities in the workplace.

Idris urged students to use their school holidays to learn practical skills, including shoemaking and soap production, which could help them earn an income and improve their economic prospects.

“Girls should not feel ashamed of learning a trade or engaging in legitimate businesses. These skills can provide them with sources of income, promote financial independence and reduce their reliance on others,” he said.

Monica Tanko, Executive Director of Azurfa Women and Youth Development Initiative, urged the girls to remain committed to their education and avoid leaving school before completing their studies.

She also encouraged them to develop practical skills alongside their formal education, saying the combination could help prepare them for future challenges and employment opportunities.

Tanko stressed the importance of self-reliance while encouraging the students to maintain their personal dignity as they pursued their ambitions.

Timothy Ibrahim, an engineer with more than 20 years of professional experience, encouraged the students to consider engineering and other professions in which women have traditionally been underrepresented.

He urged them not to allow gender stereotypes to discourage them from pursuing their interests, adding that girls could excel when they had access to opportunities, encouragement and support.

His message reinforced the event’s call for girls to look beyond occupations traditionally associated with women and explore careers across technical and professional fields.

The event was attended by female students from several schools in Bauchi metropolis, including Rafin Zurfi, Bakaro, Unguwar Doya, Gudun Sayawa and the Federal Government Girls’ College.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on October 11 to promote girls’ rights and draw attention to challenges affecting their development.

The Bauchi event used the occasion to highlight the importance of education, vocational training and access to a wider range of career opportunities.

The organisers’ message was that empowering girls requires more than keeping them in school.

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Access to practical skills, supportive role models and opportunities to enter different professions can also help young women build greater economic independence and participate more fully in their communities.