By Joy Onu
The Children and Youth Protection Foundation (CYPF Nigeria) has officially commissioned a newly renovated wash facility at Junior Secondary School, Aleita, Airport Road, Abuja, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote menstrual hygiene, dignity, and school retention for adolescent girls.
The commissioning ceremony, held on Friday, January 23, 2026, attracted school administrators, teachers, students, and representatives of the Foundation, all of whom described the intervention as timely and impactful.
Speaking during the event, School Principal Mrs. Charity Odeke expressed deep appreciation for CYPF’s sustained presence and commitment to student welfare, particularly for the girl child.
“You can see the joy on my face. CYPF has been partnering with this school even before I assumed office, and they have never relented. They constantly educate our girls on hygiene, neatness, and menstrual care. Today, the toilet facility has been upgraded, and everywhere looks clean and healthy. This is helping our students tremendously,” she said.
She added that beyond infrastructure, the Foundation’s continuous sensitization programs have improved students’ health and behavior while reducing hygiene-related illnesses within the school.
Vice Principal (Administration) Mrs. Ofoha Onyinye also highlighted the transformative impact of the intervention.
“Before now, the toilets were there but barely functional because there was no water. Students sometimes struggled to wash their hands after playing or using the toilet. Now, with regular water supply, sanitation has improved greatly. The children wash their hands and keep the environment cleaner,” she said.
Mrs. Onyinye further explained the significance of CYPF’s menstrual hygiene support for vulnerable students.
“There were times we had to use personal money to buy sanitary pads for girls who suddenly started menstruating at school. Some girls were using rags because they could not afford pads. Since CYPF began providing pad banks, pants, and hygiene kits, the burden has been greatly reduced. This has restored dignity to many of our students,” she added.
Gladys Oche, Project Manager and Program Officer for CYPF’s Child and Education Commission, described the project as part of the Foundation’s Empowering Girls’ Education Through Menstrual Hygiene Management initiative.
“We commissioned a similar facility earlier at Junior Secondary School Piwoye, and this is our second stop. We have two more schools to reach. Girls need clean, safe spaces to manage their periods with dignity. We have also provided pad banks stocked with sanitary pads, reusable products, and other hygiene essentials,” she said.
Oche noted that the project is supported by Mundo Cooperante and other partners, emphasizing that increased collaboration with government and development agencies could enable CYPF to scale the initiative to more public schools across the FCT.
“With more funding and stronger government support, we can reach more schools and ensure that no girl misses school because of her period,” she said.
While commending the initiative, Principal Odeke also called for further assistance, particularly in water supply and waste management.
“We appreciate the incinerator support and the renovations. Like Oliver Twist, we still need more water to maintain cleanliness. We also encourage the government to support organizations like CYPF through incentives such as tax relief, as they complement government efforts in education and child welfare,” she said.
The commissioning reinforces CYPF’s broader mission of creating safe, inclusive, and girl-friendly learning environments while advancing advocacy for menstrual health, child protection, and equal access to education.
