By DADA AYOKHAI
The Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, MWAN, Edo State chapter has in commemoration of this year International Day of the child shared over three hundred (300) sanitary towels (sanitary pads) to students of the Federal Government Girls’ College, Benin.
The International Day of the Girl (IDG) is observed annually on 11 October – is a global platform to advocate for the full spectrum of girls’ rights.
The event cocide with the activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the college, was held in collaboration with the class 2006 of the school Old Girls Association.
The students particularly the younger ones got enlightened on personal hygiene and other female related issues by the female medical doctors and members of the old girls.
Speaking, Doctor Uwa Omenai, Young Doctors Forum Coordinator for Medical Women’s Association, said they came to the school to encourage the girls and to mentor them, adding that the focus was basically on “leadership of our girls and also their wellbeing.”
Omenai who happens to be one of the old girls, class of 2006, added: “We are here as their mentors; we are here as their mothers and sisters; we are here to encourage them to always set goal for themselves and that they can achieve such goal.”
She continued: “As girls, it is good for them to know that they can achieve anything they intend to achieve. They can be in any leadership position if they put their minds to do it. So, this is a day set aside to recognise the girl child and all the struggles she goes through in order to become a great woman and a leader.”
On her part, Doctor Ann Inegbenosun, a Radiologist, University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) , said members of the association decided to join their voices with others in this year’s International Day of the Girl Child and to let them know that they are unique.
Dr. Inegbenosun who happens to be Treasurer of the association said: “We are joining our voices to other advocates to tell them that they should not look down on themselves just because they are female. They are unique and powerful.
We are changing the narrative as it used to be. There are many problems affecting the girl child in general, so we are trying our best to address some of these challenges.”
An old girl of the college, Igitei Osikphemhi urged them “to build confidence. Whenever they feel they are been threatened or being molested, they should speak out; they should talk to their parents, teachers or any responsible person around them.”
In her vote of thanks, Head Girl of the college, Christabel Ighile, while thanking the female medical doctors for the pads and enlightenment, said she learned a lot from what they were taught and enlightened on.
We are changing the narrative as it used to be. There are many problems affecting the girl child in general, so we are trying our best to address some of these challenges.”
An old girl of the college, Igitei Osikphemhi urged them “to build confidence. Whenever they feel they are been threatened or being molested, they should speak out; they should talk to their parents, teachers or any responsible person around them.”
In her vote of thanks, Head Girl of the college, Christabel Ighile, while thanking the female medical doctors for the pads and enlightenment, said she learned a lot from what they were taught and enlightened on.
We are changing the narrative as it used to be. There are many problems affecting the girl child in general, so we are trying our best to address some of these challenges.”
An old girl of the college, Igitei Osikphemhi urged them “to build confidence. Whenever they feel they are been threatened or being molested, they should speak out; they should talk to their parents, teachers or any responsible person around them.”
“We are changing the narrative as it used to be. There are many problems affecting the girl child in general, so we are trying our best to address some of these challenges.”
An old girl of the college, Igitei Osikphemhi urged them “to build confidence. Whenever they feel they are been threatened or being molested, they should speak out; they should talk to their parents, teachers or any responsible person around them.”
.
