The group during the visit presented sanitary pads and writing materials to girls in the school.
Speaking during the presentation, the Coordinator of the group, Maurice Suwange, said the beneficiaries were selected based on their financial standing and their inability to purchase sanitary pads.
PUNCH HealthWise reports that the lack of sanitary pads during monthly menstruation is a major reason some indigent schoolgirls stay away from schools in various communities in Gombe.
Suwange thanked the school authorities for assisting the group to identify the schoolgirls with such needs, noting that the assistance will be of great benefit to them.
The coordinator urged the beneficiaries which include; 40 girls and 10 boys to make good use of the donated items.
Suwange also urged them to shun gender-based violence, saying that both boys and girls were at risk and so should be protected by relevant authorities.
He said, “In commemoration of International Women’s Day, we are here to see the youth knowing full well that they need to be sensitised on gender-based violence.
“We are targeting 50 participants; 10 boys and 40 girls. The girls will be given sanitary pads and the boys will receive exercise books and pens.
“Our target is the poor and the most vulnerable. In the future, we will be looking at single mothers, widows.
“It is our hope that they will know their right and report to GBV safe centres.”
The coordinator lamented that GBV cases were on the rise in Gombe State and urged victims to speak out.
“Gender-Based Violence in Gombe is on the increase, instead of decreasing. The cases keep rising.
“We have come to the realisation that government alone can not solve the problem.
“That is why we decided to go into the communities to educate the people. Each time you go to court, you hear stories of how women and girls including boys have been violated.”
Suwange said that there is a need for more awareness about the problem.
Also Speaking, the principal of the school, Mairan Kadiri, said the importance of women to society can not be overstressed.
Kadiri said, “We need to appreciate them, we need to celebrate them to know their importance.
The government needs to do more to carry them along in every area of our endeavour.”
Source: HealthWise
