Polaris Bank girl-child hygiene support boosts menstrual health education and dignity for female students in Lagos public schools

Polaris Bank Limited has strengthened its support for the Nigerian girl-child by providing hygiene essentials and health education to female students of Kuramo Junior and Senior Secondary School and Victoria Island Junior and Senior Secondary School in Lagos.

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The intervention, according to the bank, was organised as part of Polaris Bank’s 2025 International Women’s Day activities and delivered under its Adolescent Health and Hygiene Support Programme, which focuses on improving menstrual health awareness and reducing school absenteeism among adolescent girls.

The outreach, implemented through the Polaris Bank Girl-Child Support and Hygiene Education Initiative, seeks to build confidence and dignity among young girls while addressing the practical challenges posed by limited access to sanitary products.

Speaking at the event, the Group Head of Customer Experience and Value Management at Polaris Bank, Mrs Bukola Oluyadi, led a practical health session on menstrual hygiene and daily personal care.

Mrs Oluyadi educated the students on the correct use of sanitary pads, the importance of wearing clean underwear daily, and maintaining good body hygiene through regular washing and appropriate use of deodorants, particularly during puberty.

“Your body is precious, and how you take care of it determines your confidence and wellbeing,” Mrs Oluyadi said.

She added that good hygiene is essential not only for appearance but also for health, comfort, and self-assurance in school and daily life.

She further encouraged the students to develop lifelong healthy habits, understand their bodies, and speak confidently about their health needs.

Also present at the distribution was the Non-Executive Director of Polaris Bank, Mrs Subulade Giwa-Amu, who delivered a motivational talk on self-care, confidence, and personal presentation.

Mrs Giwa-Amu told the girls that personal hygiene and self-respect play a powerful role in shaping their future, noting that success extends beyond academic performance to how individuals present themselves.

“A clean girl equals a successful woman,” Mrs Giwa-Amu said, urging the students to cultivate confidence, self-awareness, and pride as they transition into womanhood.

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Polaris Bank stated that the Polaris Bank girl-child hygiene support initiative aligns with its wider sustainability and corporate social responsibility agenda, which prioritises education, access to essential resources, and social support systems that enhance the health and academic outcomes of young girls.