In a heartwarming gesture, ‘Cross River Jewels’, a group of young female friends, distributed menstrual pads to some 1000 female students across 5 secondary schools in Cross River State, to mark International Women’s Day 2026.
Led by Precious Bessong, the group successfully distributed sanitary pads, providing students with a three-month supply of menstrual products.
According to the organizers, the initiative was born out of a desire to alleviate the financial and emotional stress many young girls face during their monthly cycles. The group said that the high cost of sanitary products often forces young female students to choose between their health and their education.
“The pads are expected to serve each student for three months, supporting the young girls in pursuing their academic goals without interruption or stress,” the group stated.
The outreach went beyond material distribution, featuring comprehensive talk sessions on personal hygiene best practices for maintaining cleanliness during menstrual cycles, foundational health education on body confidence and academic consistency; encouraging the girls to stay in school regardless of their monthly flow.
The impact of the Cross River Jewels campaign resonated far beyond the state borders. The project’s pre-event publicity caught the attention of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (Kogi Central), who lauded the young women for their initiative and provided financial support to ensure the project’s success.
The group noted that this outreach is a core part of their “routine commitment” to uplifting the girl child in the region, ensuring that no student is left behind due to a lack of basic menstrual necessities.
