The Zenithorla Support Foundation, a Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, has once again proven that advocacy means little without action as it marked the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child with a powerful outreach at Topo Senior Grammar School, Badagry, Lagos.
Held on Friday, October 10, the event brought the global theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Bold and Healthy on the Frontlines of Crisis,” to life, empowering young girls through education, health awareness, and practical support.
One of the highlights of the outreach was the free distribution of sanitary pads, a simple yet transformative gesture aimed at combating period poverty, a silent challenge that forces millions of girls to miss school every year due to lack of menstrual hygiene products.
“When we empower the girl child, we ignite potential that transforms generations. We give her more than a voice; we give her the confidence to use it. When we empower the girl child, communities rise,” said Jeremiah Apariola, Founder of the Zenithorla Support Foundation.
Apariola explained that the foundation’s goal extends beyond providing physical items, it’s about nurturing confidence, leadership, and a sense of self-worth among young women who often face social and economic barriers.
The initiative, in alignment with the United Nations’ objectives for the International Day of the Girl Child, underscored the importance of education, health, and leadership as tools for empowerment.
By choosing Badagry, a coastal town balancing urban and rural challenges, the foundation strategically reached one of Lagos’s underserved areas—where poverty, cultural stigma, and poor access to education still affect young girls’ development.
The event featured engaging sessions on menstrual health, hygiene, self-esteem, and leadership, ensuring the girls left not only with sanitary pads but also with knowledge and confidence.
Josephine Yakanu, the foundation’s General Secretary, encouraged the students to take pride in their identities and refuse to be held back by societal taboos.
“Your menstrual cycle is natural and powerful. Don’t let stigma limit your dreams. You are agents of hope and national progress,” she said.
In a practical session, Jessica Isaac, another official of the foundation, demonstrated proper menstrual hygiene practices and stressed the importance of maintaining cleanliness during menstruation.
The host school’s Principal, Mrs. F. Famutimi, expressed deep appreciation to Zenithorla Foundation, describing the initiative as “a vital contribution to adolescent health education and student welfare.”
Operating under the slogan “Supporting People in Need,” the Zenithorla Support Foundation continues to advocate for inclusive education, health, and empowerment initiatives across Lagos and beyond.
The foundation also called on government agencies, community leaders, and well-meaning Nigerians to partner with them in sustaining programmes that uplift and empower young girls across communities.
For partnerships or enquiries, Zenithorla Support Foundation can be reached via email at [email protected], phone at +234 806 702 0140, or WhatsApp at +234 912 944 0080.
No comments