Valentine: AWLA, Padded Life Foundation Promote Sexual Rights Awareness, Menstrual Hygiene Among Oyo Students.
By Olatunde Ajayi
The African Women Lawyers Association(AWLA), Nigeria, Oyo state chapter in conjunction with a Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO), Padded Life Foundation have charged girls to exercise their rights by speaking up against any form of sexual abuse and exploitation.
The group made the call during a Valentine’s Day sexual health talk organized for students of St. Anne’s School Ibadan in commemoration of the year 2025 St. Valentine Day.
The sexual health talk, which was in collaboration with Seminary-St Anne’s School Old Girls Association(SSASOGA), was aimed at educating the girls on their rights concerning their body system and how to protect them.
In her remarks at the event, the Coordinator of AWLA Nig. in Oyo state, Mrs. Adebimpe Alex-Ndukwe, noted that the valentine sexual health talk was organised to sensitise students on their sexual reproductive rights.
“We want them to know that they have rights over their body and organs, and also have the right to decide what anybody can do with their body.
“We are also here to educate and let them know that our doors are open for the girls that are victims of any form of sexual abuse or molestation for counseling and possible prosecution of the offender free of charge.
“Not just them alone, even for anybody around who is passing through such abuse. Part of our objectives is to promote and protect the interest of children and women, “she said.
She charged the students to have the reorientation about valentine and its meaning.
“Nowadays, when youths hear the word “valentine” the first thing that comes to mind is sex or romantic relationship.
“This is abuse of the real meaning of the word “valentine”, love is more stronger and deeper in meaning than sexual relationships. They must share love in better ways rather than sleeping with boys or doing other things that are not healthy for their body,” she said.
Also, a representative of Padded Life Foundation, Oluwatimilehin Sotonade, noted that the NGO in conjunction with AWLA Nigeria embarked on valentine outreach to properly sensitise the students on true meaning of love and to distribute sanitary pads to the girls so as to improve their menstrual hygiene.
“At the Padded Life Foundation, we help school girls with sanitary pads across the state to improve their menstrual health, build their confidence and encourage them, “she said.
She advised the students to focus on their studies and strive to add values to themselves. Sotonade also urged the students not to be deceived by boyfriends that valentine is all about sex or romantic relationship.
Similarly, the President of the SSASOGA, Mrs Funmi Kehinde, said that the annual St. Anne’s valentine programme was a way of engaging and rescuing the students from falling victims of negative valentine celebration.
“It is a sexual health talk programme that features dance competition, quiz, chorography, lectures, drama and other educational activities for the girls to enjoy themselves under supervision.
“It is our way of celebrating motherhood to the girls and being a good example that they should emulate, “she said.
On her part, the School Principal, Mrs Moradehun Olatunji, commended the SSASOGA and other partners for organizing the educative valentine talk.
She noted that the programme would further shape the future of the girls and help them to become a better version of themselves.
Reflecting on the programme, a Senior School three(SS3) student, Mariam Oluwatimilehin Bikobaku, noted that the programme has enlightened the participants on good menstrual hygiene and proper way to celebrate valentine.
