Mrs. Ashvini Nagarkar, Chairman, Project SAHKI, speaking at the distribution of the items to the students in Lagos on Wednesday, said the gesture was to boost the girl-child’s confidence while she observes her menstrual cycle.
While noting that the RCLI has been involved in many other social service projects on health and sanitation, blood donation, tree planting, education, among others, the chairperson said that a recent survey conducted in Nigeria revealed that lack of proper and adequate menstrual hygiene management system, a bye-product of inadequate water and sanitation facility, has an adverse effect on the health and education of adolescent girls.
“Every month, RCLI members will visit and distribute the sanitary products to the students and today, is the second day of such event,” she said. Quoting the United Nations Children’s Education Fund , which estimates that one in 10 young girls in Africa misses school during their menstrual period and eventually drops out due to social compulsion, Jain added that through SAKHI, RCLI aims to create awareness among the school girls and their under-privileged counterparts will be given free sanitary products, as well encouraged to use it.