Source:  Chioma Obinna

…Reproductive health awareness campaign aligns with SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being

In a strong show of commitment to girls’ health and empowerment, the Nigerian Navy Secondary School, Ojo, in collaboration with Cerba Lancet Nigeria, held a large-scale sensitization program focused on menstrual hygiene and reproductive health, reaching over 2,000 female students.

The impactful event, organized under Cerba Lancet’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, is part of a broader effort to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) — ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.

Tackling Taboos, Promoting Confidence

The school’s Commandant, Captain Yakubu Haruna, described the event as “educative and timely”, noting that it answered many questions young girls often struggle to ask openly.

“We’ve been looking forward to such programs. Teaching them about their bodies, hygiene, and how to properly dispose of sanitary pads is essential,” Haruna said.

He added that the session also addressed sexual health, with some students asking questions about engaging in sex at their age — to which the school responded with clear moral and health guidance.

“It’s a no. They don’t need it at this age. We intend to follow up with debates and quizzes to reinforce what they’ve learned.”

Cerba Lancet Champions Girls’ Health with “Pad-Up” Initiative

Dr. Fred John Obiajulu, Medical Director and Senior Pathologist at Cerba Lancet Nigeria, emphasized that the girl child is at the heart of both gender equality and public health goals.

“When you have a healthy girl child, you have a healthy society. Any society that suppresses its girls will never progress,” Obiajulu said.

He explained complex conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and emphasized the need for professional diagnosis and long-term management of menstrual irregularities.

“Pad-Up” Initiative: 8 Years of Impact

Temitope Ambrose, Head of Business Development at Cerba Lancet, noted that the session was part of their flagship “Pad-Up” CSR initiative, which has run for nearly a decade.

“We reach both urban and rural schools across Nigeria, ensuring no girl is left behind,” she said.
“There are no strict selection criteria — we go wherever the need arises.”

Empowering Young Minds with Knowledge and Hygiene

Mrs. Musa Janet, the school matron, praised the program’s impact, noting that many students gained clarity on misunderstood aspects of their menstrual cycle.

“Now they understand that if a period stops briefly, it might not be a crisis. They also learned about what irregular or discoloured periods could signal,” she said.

She stressed that while the school provides ongoing health talks, external workshops like this significantly reinforce their efforts, helping the girls feel seen, informed, and supported.

Pads Distributed to Over 2,000 Students

The program concluded with the distribution of sanitary pads to all participants — an essential gesture that addressed both the educational and practical aspects of menstrual hygiene management.

Takeaway

By combining expert insights, open dialogue, and material support, the Nigerian Navy Secondary School and Cerba Lancet Nigeria are setting an example in empowering adolescent girls, reducing stigma, and improving menstrual and reproductive health literacy in Nigeria.