A non-governmental organisation, the Give Back the Smile Support Group (GBS) on May 27, 2026 organised an awareness campaign event to commemorate the 2026 “ Menstrual Hygiene Day.”
The event which was organised in collaboration of with Zenith International School, Amike Aba, Abakaliki held at the school premises attracted teenage girls, public health professionals and teachers.
Speaking to our correspondent, the Coordinator of GBS, Mrs. Ogeri Rosemary Idika the GBS’s theme for the event, “ Empowering Girls Through Menstrual Health Education,” is in tandem with 2026 global theme, of Menstrual Hygiene Day, which is “Together for a#PeriodFriendlyWorld.”
According to Mrs. Idika, the programmes created awareness among teenage girls who may face challenges, especially at their first experience of mensuration. According to her, “ if a young girl is informed ahead of time, if she is taught how to maintain healthy hygiene during her mensuration period, such a young girl will be more confident and ready to face her life ahead as a woman.” She noted that many young girls have suffered humiliations which affected their mental health, just because they thought something was wrong with them, whereas mensuration is totally a natural occurrence which signals puberty and which every complete woman goes through in their life time.
Mrs. Idika explained that, aside from mensural hygiene, the event also witnessed presentation of general female health talk. Live demonstration of how to hygienically wear mensuration pads.
Participants also engaged in fun activities including games like dance competition, ludo and whot games. question and answer session, fun refreshments and general bonding with friends and teachers.
The program was moderated by Mrs. Stella Maris Ejum of Zenith International School. The introduction to the menstrual hygiene day was given by Mrs. Ogeri Rosemary Idika , while the Health talk and pad demonstration was led by Mrs. Blessing Obasi, a public health practitioner and member of GBS.
To encourage hygiene, pads and detergent was distributed to the 35 Pupils present courtesy of Give Back The Smile Support Group.
Miss Isioma Idika, a special artist also gave out her specially painted and autographed art works to winners of the games and other participants at the event.
Mrs. Idiks said that the programme was one of series of such events organised by the GBS targeted at reaching different sections of the society including parents of children with special needs, care givers, young boys, girls and vulnerable people in the community.