By Steve Agbota
In recognition of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child and as a demonstration of its commitment to host communities, West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) has donated four new sewing machines to students of Government Secondary School, Ogu, located in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area, Rivers State.
WACT stated that the donation of the sewing machines aims to further equip students who have been trained in the production of eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads, as part of the company’s Menstrual Justice Programme.
According to WACT Community Relations Manager, Justin Okwuofu, the Menstrual Justice Programme was initiated in the fourth quarter of 2023 to help keep girls in school, as many female students miss classes and sometimes examinations due to menstruation.
The programme is designed to address “period poverty,” a problem identified during the company’s community needs assessment, where it was reported that some girls resort to trading sex for sanitary products. Additionally, it aims to contribute to environmental protection by promoting the use of eco-friendly sanitary pads. The Menstrual Justice Programme also aligns with the first three thematic areas of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) interventions: health, education, and training and development.
Okwuofu emphasised the company’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of the reusable sanitary pad training, stating that the students were provided with extra materials, including four new sewing machines, to produce more sanitary pads.
He said: “WACT does not just sponsor training; we are a company big on sustainability, and that is why we decided to support the students with these sewing machines to further encourage them to produce more sanitary pads for themselves, their family members, and even for commercial purposes.”
Also speaking, WACT Employee Relations Specialist, Nengi Somiari, noted that by celebrating and making a positive impact on the girl child in its host communities and beyond, WACT is addressing identified challenges while creating awareness of the potential that lies within every girl child.
Gogo Kalaiwo, Vice Principal of Government Secondary School, Ogu, expressed gratitude to WACT for its CSR commitment and the generous donation of the sewing machines, describing the thoughtful gesture as beyond their expectations.