CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE— In a significant humanitarian intervention to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day, a socio-political group, Cross River Jewels, has actually dispersed sanitary pads to 1,000 female students across five secondary schools in Calabar.
The initiative, focused on promoting menstrual hygiene and avoiding “duration hardship” from disrupting education, was bolstered by financial backing from Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central.
The Director-General of the group, Associate Precious Besong, led the exercise on Thursday, March 12, 2026, noting that the intervention provides each beneficiary with sufficient hygiene products to last for 3 months.
The outreach targeted adolescent women in communities where the high cost of sanitary products often results in school absenteeism.
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Organizers emphasized that the initiative addresses both the monetary and mental challenges that girls face, guaranteeing they do not suffer shame or miss classes throughout their menstrual cycles. The 5 recipient schools in Calabar include:
- Federal Government Secondary School, Barracks Road
- Government Secondary School, State Housing
- Government Technical School, Mayne Avenue
- Federal Government Secondary School, TTC Ikot Ansa
- Federal Government Secondary School, Atu
The program went beyond the simple circulation of products by including academic sessions on reproductive health.
Facilitators engaged the students on the biology of menstruation and the importance of individual cleanliness, while also offering mentorship on building confidence.
The initiative gained substantial traction following the intervention of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. In spite of not being from Cross River State, the Senator offered financial backing to the group after learning of the task’s goals throughout its promotion phase.
Comrade Besong admired the legislator’s gesture, specifying, “Despite the fact that Senator Natasha is not from Cross River, she recognized the value of this cause. This showed her commitment to the welfare of Nigerian ladies regardless of geographical limits.”
A few of the recipients expressed extensive thankfulness, explaining the intervention as timely. Many kept in mind that the fear of “leakages” or the inability to manage pads typically caused them to stay home for numerous days each month.
Cross River Jewels has actually promised to make the distribution an annual custom, with strategies to broaden the outreach to more rural neighborhoods across the state in the coming years. The group restated its position that no trainee need to be forced to pick between her education and her dignity.