Centre for Human Rights, Health, Ethnic Harmony and Livelihood Development (CHHELD) in partnership with BPWI and Centre for Creative Development Strategies (CCDS) organized a one-day skill acquisition and empowerment for female students in Model Secondary School, GRA, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on the 3rd day of November, 2023.
Over a hundred female students were empowered with knowledge on life skills and making of eco-friendly pads. Mrs. Nancy Iheduru, a member of the BPWI Rivers State Chapter and Executive Director of CCDS taught students on the importance of fostering a positive Self-esteem. She stated that positive self-esteem is crucial for the emotional well-being and overall development of young girls. She encouraged female students to refrain from engaging in sexual intercourse and report all forms of abuse they face.
Mrs. Linda, member of BPWI, Rivers State Chapter shared lessons on Body integrity, she advised girls to see themselves as royals that should not settle for less in life. She also encouraged to appreciate their bodies and quit having unrealistic beauty standards portrayed in the media and emphasized on the importance of a healthy body image. She encouraged teenage girls to set healthy boundaries, build supportive friendships and avoid toxic or abusive relationships. She shared tips on ways female students to maintain personal hygiene in their personal lives, especially during menstruation. Personal hygiene not only benefits the individual’s health, but also helps in preventing the spread of diseases to others.
The BPWI Rivers State Chapter inaugurated 20 members of the student’s club which will serve as ambassadors in the school to continue sharing positive values and empowering other students with skills. The students were charged to be studious, hardworking and exemplary leaders in the school.
The high point of the event was the distribution of sanitary products to students. This was done to address the challenge of period poverty. Period poverty is a major challenge faced by girls and women during menstruation
CHHELD been represented by Program Officer, David Prince distributed pads to members of the club instituted in the school.
