Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
School authorities in Osun State have been charged to key into advocacy campaigns aimed at achieving good healthy living for students.
Wife of Osun State Governor, Mrs Kafayat Oyetola gave the charge on Saturday during the year 2021 Menstrual Hygiene Day held in Atakumosa West local government area of Osun State.
Mrs Oyetola while speaking on the theme, “Stepping up Action for Menstrual Hygiene and Health,” highlighted the significance of the day as one of the global efforts at tackling the health and social challenges affecting the well-being of girls and women generally in the society.
She identified some of the medically identified health hazards to include lack of proper information at the onset of menstrual flows, lack of access to proper materials such as reusable pads and clothes to soak up the menstrual flows.
These and other factors according to her could trigger different diseases in the affected girl or woman as the case may be while menstruating.
Mrs Oyetola who is also the Water Sanitation and Hygiene, W.A.S.H state ambassador reaffirmed the commitment and determination of her NGO, IleriIOluwa Development Initiatives not to leave any stone unturned in putting in place comprehensive campaigns on the need to improve access to water, sanitation and hygienic lifestyles in Osun State.
Mrs Oyetola at the programme also expressed her dissatisfaction over the age old practice of Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting.
She therefore called on mothers particularly to refrain from subjecting an average girl child to such unhealthy and harmful health practice which she said had sent many victims to their untimely graves.
Speaking during the programme, the Coordinating Director Ministry of Education, Mrs Olaniyan Christiana urged the students of the school not to partake in any unwholesome act capable of jeopardizing their different ambitions in life.
Mrs Olaniyan described education as a priceless meal ticket which should not be mortgaged.