CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE— In a major humanitarian intervention to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day, a socio-political group, Cross River Jewels, has dispersed sanitary pads to 1,000 female trainees throughout 5 secondary schools in Calabar.
The effort, focused on promoting menstrual hygiene and preventing “duration poverty” from interfering with education, was strengthened by financial support from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.
The Director-General of the group, Pal Valuable Besong, led the workout on Thursday, March 12, 2026, noting that the intervention offers each recipient with adequate hygiene items to last for 3 months.
The outreach targeted teen ladies in communities where the high expense of hygienic items often results in school absenteeism.
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Organizers emphasized that the effort addresses both the financial and mental challenges that girls deal with, ensuring they do not suffer embarrassment or miss classes throughout their menstrual cycles. The five beneficiary schools in Calabar include:
- Government Secondary School, Barracks Road
- Government Secondary School, State Real Estate
- Federal Government Technical School, Mayne Opportunity
- Federal Government Secondary School, TTC Ikot Ansa
- Government Secondary School, Atu
The program went beyond the simple distribution of materials by incorporating educational sessions on reproductive health.
Facilitators engaged the trainees on the biology of menstruation and the importance of personal cleanliness, while likewise providing mentorship on building confidence.
The initiative got significant traction following the intervention of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Despite not being from Cross River State, the Senator provided financial backing to the group after knowing of the task’s objectives throughout its promotion phase.
Comrade Besong admired the lawmaker’s gesture, stating, “Despite the fact that Senator Natasha is not from Cross River, she acknowledged the importance of this cause. This demonstrated her dedication to the welfare of Nigerian ladies regardless of geographical boundaries.”
Some of the recipients revealed profound appreciation, explaining the intervention as prompt. Lots of kept in mind that the worry of “leaks” or the inability to manage pads frequently triggered them to stay at home for numerous days each month.
Cross River Jewels has actually vowed to make the distribution a yearly tradition, with strategies to expand the outreach to more rural communities across the state in the coming years. The group restated its stance that no trainee must be required to pick between her education and her dignity.