Her Excellency, Madam Fatima Bio on Friday 19 February 2021 commenced the distribution of free sanitary pads to school girls within Pujehun District as part of a nationwide distribution process targeting 60,000 beneficiaries.
The distribution exercise in Pujehun District was witnessed by senior government officials including the Sierra Leone Ambassador to China H.E Alex Ndomahina and members of both Julius Maada Bio Women Wing and Associate and the Fatima and Maada Bio foundation.
In her statement at the distribution event in Holy Rosary SecondarySchool in Pujehun District,
Madam Fatima told the cheerful young girls that menstruation was natural and they should not be ashamed of it.
“Menstruation is not a choice, you need not be ashamed because it is not a crime,” Madam Fatima told the girls and called on them to focus on their education and say ‘no’ to early marriage and teenage pregnancy.
She said the delivery of the free sanitary pad was in fulfilment of a promise she and H.E President Julius Maada Bio made to provide hygienic sanitary pads to school girls as part of the ‘Hands off Our Girls’ Campaign to keep them in school during their menstruation period.
The free sanitary pads were safe to use and it is certified by the United Nations. One pack contains 120 pieces of pads to last for a year. She displayed the pads to girls and explained it’s proper use, emphasizing the pads should not be sold.
The First Lady told the girls to ignore fake news on social media, this was the first time she was giving out free sanitary pads. The pads were to support the girls to stay in school and not be hindered by their menstrual circle.
The principal of the Holy Rosary Secondary School in Pujehun District, Philip E Mando praised the First Lady and President Bio for the Free Quality Education, noting that most of the girls were in school because of the Free Quality Education.
The CEO of Maada and Fatima Bio Foundation, Mrs Samba in her statement said she stands as a proud woman to see this historic event, the foundation has been existing for over 3 years and they have been working towards developing girls.
The “????? ??? ??? ?????” initiative is the flagship program of the first lady. It includes advocacy work both national and international in creating awareness for the need to protect and educate our children, with emphasis on girls. The distribution of sanitary pads to girls was the climax of the event.
Strategic Communication Division
Office of The First Lady
info@officeofthefirstlady.gov.sl
+232 303 68273
