The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has successfully distributed over 4,000 free sanitary pads to female pupils from various schools across the Kambia district.

The pupils converged at the Kolenten Junior Secondary School grounds in Kambia to benefit from civic education on menstrual hygiene and packs of free sanitary pads to last them a whole year.

Delivering her keynote address to an enthusiastic and jam-packed crowd of female pupils, Her Excellency the First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio applauded the Paramount Chiefs for serving as Champions of the Hands Off Our Girls campaign over the years.

“The success of the campaign to protect and seek the welfare of the girl child has been largely successful because all hands have been on deck,” she acknowledged the support of various stakeholders.

She asked the school girls if they had been practicing the “NO” rule or response to every advancement that will not support their education.

She urged the pupils to prioritise education so that their brighter future is assured.

“With education, you can make informed decisions and become an independent woman,” she stated.

The First Lady encouraged the children to always endeavour to pray for goodness to befall their good teachers, while equally asking them to pray against bad influences.

On election civic education, Dr. Bio reminded the kids that women and children are mostly disadvantaged whenever there is conflict.

“During the forthcoming elections, make sure no politician leads you to violence of any sort. Remember to ask them to encourage their children to embark on acts of violence if they feel the need to fight,” she advised.

She called on the kids to desist from any form of electoral malpractice and violence.

Her Excellency also used the forum as an opportunity to reiterate that real men like her husband would love and support their wives at all times including while on their menstrual cycles, noting further, as a prayer point, for the kids to grow up with quality education and a caring husband like Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio.

By show of hands, at least 99% of kids present at the event acknowledged that they have been using pieces of unhygienic clothing during their menstrual cycles as they cannot afford hygienic sanitary pads.

Dr. Bio assured the pupils that the era to drop out of schools as a result of lack of school fees, learning materials and hygienic sanitary pads is over.

The First Lady confirmed that each kid was receiving a total of 120 pieces of sanitary pads to last them a whole year, while assuring the children that she will continue to stand by them against all odds.

“Marriage is a choice and education is a right for every woman. Menstruation is not a choice.” This, she said, is the special message of His Excellency to the children.

She insisted that children should not be parents.

Politician and Women’s Rights Activist, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden disclosed that she travelled all the way to join Her Excellency the First Lady in Kambia to intensify civic education on menstrual hygiene.

She called on the schoolgirls to judiciously utilise the sanitary pads and ensure they learn from the exemplary example of the First Lady and reciprocate in various ways in the future.

She applauded the bravery of the First Lady to openly discuss menstrual hygiene issues including her bold move to publicly narrate the support His Excellency the President normally provides to her during her menstrual cycle.

Minister of Political and Public Affairs, Foday Yumkella called on parents to re-elect President Bio so that the good work of the First Lady for the children and women of Sierra Leone continues unabated.

Deputy Director of Education in the Kambia district expressed appreciation to the First Lady for ensuring that the pupils stay in school and enjoy the free quality education introduced by His Excellency the President.

The First Lady also used the event as a platform to do public demonstrations as to how to correctly use the sanitary pads.