Busuyi Ogidiolu in Ado Ekiti.
Ekiti State Government says it will ensure a budgetary provision for the production of sanitary pads in the State.
Governor Kayode Fayemi announced this in Ado Ekiti at the launch of menstrual hygiene programme tagged keep Girls in School Pad Bank in commemoration of world menstrual hygiene day.
The governor who was represented by the secretary to the State government, Mr Biodun Oyebanji noted that local production of sanitary pads would enhance its easy accessibility and thereby encouraged female students to go to school
In her remarks, the Wife of the Governor Erelu said arrangements have been concluded to distribute three thousand re-usable sanitary pads to female students across the State yearly.
“The reusable pads we are distributing is produced by a lady and we will bring her to Ekiti State to train people on production of reusable pad in every local government” She added.
She gave an assurance company that would invest in production of sanitary pads in Ekiti State would be adequately supported.
The Governor’s wife therefore emphasized the need for removal of tax on menstrual hygiene products or heavily subsidised.
She maintained that lack of appropriate facilities such as gender segregated toilet, adequate water supply in school, absence of sanitary menstrual materials could prevent girls from safe hygiene management.
Earlier, the commissioner for women Affairs and social development, Hajia Mariam ogunlade commended the wife of the state government for giving hope to the girls and encouraged the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of spreading the words about menstrual hygiene.
Also the commissioner for Education, Mr Bimpe Aderiye lauded the Ekiti State first lady on her contribution to girl child education in the state saying a world Bank assisted programme has been facilitated known as Adolescent Girls Initiative and Learning Empowerment AGILE, to ensure the female students stay in school.
Some of the beneficiaries of the programme appreciated the initiative and promised to be good ambassadors of the state.
