IWD: May & Baker women push menstrual health education, mentorship for schoolgirls,
By Chioma Obinna
On this year’s International Women’s Day, IWD, Female staff of May&Baker Nigeria Plc, have called for stronger menstrual health education and mentorship for schoolgirls as part of efforts to empower young girls to grow into confident and healthy women.
The call was made during an outreach programme organised to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day, IWD, for students of Murtala Muhammed Secondary School in Lagos where the company’s women team engaged students in mentorship sessions and health education under the theme:“Give to Gain.”
Speaking during the event, the Head of Human Capital Development at May & Baker Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Sylvia Essien, said the initiative was designed to inspire young girls to believe in their potential while equipping them with knowledge that would help them make better life choices.
“We are here to celebrate International Women’s Day with you because it is a special day celebrated across the world to recognise the achievements of women and encourage young girls like you to believe in your dreams and your potential,” Essien said.
According to her, the theme “Give to Gain” highlights the importance of generosity, mentorship and collaboration in building a better society.
“The theme simply means that when you give your best to others, you also gain something greater in return. When parents give guidance, children gain wisdom, and when students give their best efforts to their studies, they gain a brighter future,” she explained.
Essien urged the students to take their education seriously, noting that the choices they make today will determine their future. “Your education is one of the greatest gifts you can have. Some of you seated here today will become doctors, engineers, lawyers, educators and business leaders. What you are doing now is building the foundation for that future,” she added.
She noted that the outreach was also part of the company’s corporate social responsibility, CSR, initiatives aimed at supporting communities and promoting social development.
“Rather than celebrate within our premises, we decided to extend the celebration to young girls in schools to educate them about their health, their well-being and how they can empower and support each other to achieve a better future,” Essien said.
As part of the programme, the students received sanitary pads and hygiene kits, while health professionals also provided guidance on menstrual health and personal hygiene.
A pharmacist with the company, Pharm. Uche Olekanma, emphasised the need for adolescent girls to understand the changes taking place in their bodies and maintain proper hygiene.
“You are now adolescents, which mean you are transitioning from childhood to adulthood. A lot of changes are taking place in your body, and you need to take care of yourself,” she said.
Olekanma explained that menstruation is a natural part of growing up and should not be a source of fear or embarrassment for young girls.
“Menstruation is a normal part of adulthood and girls must learn to accept it and take care of themselves during that period. Maintaining good hygiene and using appropriate sanitary products are very important,” she stated.
She also advised the students to monitor their menstrual cycles and seek guidance from parents, teachers or health professionals whenever they encounter challenges.
“Your health must be protected at all times. When you take care of your body and maintain good hygiene, you protect your dignity and your future,” Olekanma said.
Also speaking, Dr. Sophia Abiri-Franklin, Director at the Centre for Global Engagement, Non-Government and Industry Partnerships at Caleb University, said empowering young girls early in life is essential to building confident women who will positively impact society.
She explained that the theme “Give to Gain” encourages women to support one another and build stronger networks.
“We live in a society where many people see giving as transactional. But the idea behind this theme is that giving should be transformational. We can give encouragement, support, unity and confidence to other women,” she said.
Abiri-Franklin added that programmes such as the outreach help young girls understand their value and prepare them to become leaders of tomorrow.
“We are here to empower these girls so that tomorrow they will grow into impactful women. When women support each other and lift one another, we rise together,” she said.
Organisers said the initiative may be expanded into an annual programme aimed at strengthening awareness on girls’ health, confidence and leadership potential across schools.
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By Chioma Obinna On this year’s International Women’s Day, IWD, Female staff of May&Baker Nigeria Plc, have called for stronger menstrual health education and mentorship for schoolgirls as part of efforts to empower young girls to grow into confident and healthy women. The call was made during an outreach programme organised to mark the 2026 […]
The post IWD: May & Baker women push menstrual health education, mentorship for schoolgirls appeared first on Vanguard News.
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