Oluremi Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative donates 10,000 sanitary pads to girls in Anambra to promote menstrual hygiene and keep them in school

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has unveiled a national menstrual health project under her Renewed Hope Initiative, tagged “Flow with Confidence,” with the distribution of 10,000 sanitary pad packs to teenage girls across Anambra State.

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The initiative, which was first launched in October 2025, aims to distribute 370,000 sanitary pad packs nationwide—10,000 for each state and the Federal Capital Territory—to empower schoolgirls, promote menstrual hygiene, and restore their dignity through a year-long supply of sanitary pads.

At the Anambra State flag-off ceremony held on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall of the Light House, Awka, Senator Tinubu was represented by the state’s First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, who also serves as the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative.

Dr Soludo, founder of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo campaign, said the allocation would be shared across communities, especially in rural areas where many girls struggle to access menstrual hygiene products.

She described the programme as a timely intervention to tackle the stigma, ridicule, and loss of confidence often faced by schoolgirls during their periods.

“It is wrong for girls to miss school during their periods because they cannot afford sanitary pads or fear stained clothes,” Soludo said, reading the First Lady’s address.

“Through this initiative, young girls will not only receive sanitary pads but also gain the confidence to pursue their education without disruption. This is about health, dignity, and self-esteem.”

She further disclosed that about ₦2.5 billion was spent to produce the sanitary pads locally, urging the girls to use them properly to avoid infections caused by unhygienic alternatives such as rags or tissue paper.

Member representing Onitsha North I Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Ifeoma Azikiwe, commended Senator Tinubu’s compassion and commitment to the welfare of women and girls nationwide.

“This is a laudable step toward ensuring menstrual health, reducing infection risks, and enabling our girls to stay in school with confidence,” Azikiwe said.

A female health expert who addressed the gathering urged the girls to view menstruation as a natural and empowering process.

“Menstruation is not something to hide or be embarrassed about—it is part of womanhood. Use your pads correctly, maintain good hygiene, and never let your period hold you back from achieving your dreams,” she advised.

The event drew participation from state officials, women’s groups, and students from across Anambra’s 21 local government areas.

Each schoolgirl received sanitary pads and cash gifts from Dr Soludo to cover transport fares back home.

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Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the initiative, noting that access to sanitary products would help them attend school regularly and boost their confidence among peers.