The deputy community leader of Ekot Etonko, Mr. Effiok Okon, has appealed to authorities for regular donations of free sanitary pads for young women and schoolgirls in their Cross River State community.
He made the appeal during a distribution event by the non-governmental organization PadBank, which gave out free sanitary pads to promote menstrual hygiene and combat period poverty. Okon praised PadBank’s “blessing to mothers and daughters alike,” noting that girls in the area often skip school during their periods due to a lack of supplies, and called for more such assistance.
The event was part of PadBank’s Mobile Outreach 3.0 initiative, which aims to help 12 communities this year.
Madam Archibong Bassey, PadBank’s Coordinator, said the program seeks to restore dignity and improve school attendance for girls. She stressed that “Menstrual hygiene is a right, not a privilege,” and that missed school days affect the community’s future.
The Face of PadBank, Victoria Omini, added that the outreach is driven by compassion and is more than just charity—it’s empowerment so that “No girl should feel ashamed or drop out of school because of menstruation.”
The initiative, supported by volunteers and private donors, included interactive sessions on menstrual and reproductive health before the pads were distributed.
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Nice idea💡