Akwa Ibom State, joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 — a day set aside to raise awareness, break stigma, and promote safe menstrual health practices for girls and women.
The Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady, Lady Helen Eno Obareki, continues to champion menstrual health education and dignity for the girl child through sustained advocacy and targeted interventions.
In the lead-up to this year’s commemoration, two major outreach programmes reached a total of 1,150 girls across the state with menstrual health education, sanitary products and hygiene support.
On Sunday, May 24, 500 girls benefitted from the GIFA Understanding Menstruation programme held at Grooves Memorial Methodist Church, Ikot Ekpene. The beneficiaries, drawn from Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim and Obot Akara Local Government Areas, received practical education on menstrual hygiene, sanitary materials and encouragement to manage their periods with dignity and confidence.
Just two days later, on Tuesday, May 26, another 650 girls were reached through the Renewed Hope Initiative’s Flow with Confidence programme — further amplifying the message that no girl should be limited or left behind because of menstruation.
Beyond the distribution of sanitary products and hygiene items, the interventions provided critical knowledge, boosted self-esteem and challenged harmful myths and stigma surrounding menstruation.
As the world marks Menstrual Hygiene Day, Lady Helen Eno Obareki reaffirms her commitment to ensuring that every girl in Akwa Ibom State has access to the information, support and resources needed to manage her menstrual health safely, confidently and with dignity.
Together, we can build a period-friendly society where menstruation is understood, accepted and supported — not as a barrier, but as a normal part of life.
By; Ikechukwu Agbamegbue, Uyo.
