The Cross River State Chapter of the WASH Media Network has marked World Water Day 2026 with a school outreach at Government Secondary School Anantigha, where over one hundred sanitary pads were distributed to students to support menstrual hygiene management.
The outreach, held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, focused on promoting safe water practices, proper sanitation, and responsible menstrual hygiene among students, particularly adolescent girls. The initiative formed part of activities to deepen awareness on the critical link between water, hygiene, and gender equality in schools.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by the school principal, Mrs. Valarie Ekpenyong Henshaw, followed by technical presentations from partner organisations and an interactive session with students.
Delivering the first lecture, a representative of the Borehole Drillers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Augustine Oyongha, educated students on the safe management of water sources and the need to protect water infrastructure within their communities. He emphasised responsible usage, proper maintenance of boreholes, and safeguarding public water facilities to ensure sustainability.
Using demonstration kits, Oyongha illustrated water testing methods and warned of the dangers of contamination. “When the water source is contaminated, you’re eating faeces,” he cautioned, drawing attention to the health risks associated with unsafe water.
In the second lecture, the Secretary of the WASH Media Network, Mrs. Abenmire Williams, spoke extensively on menstrual hygiene, urging both boys and girls to adopt supportive and informed attitudes.
She advised male students to desist from stigmatising girls during menstruation, noting that such behaviour could discourage school attendance and participation. She also encouraged girls to confidently discuss menstrual health challenges with trusted adults, including teachers and parents.
Earlier, in her remarks, the principal expressed appreciation to the Network and its partners for selecting the school for the outreach. She, however, highlighted ongoing challenges with water supply, noting that a borehole previously provided by the Cross River State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency had become non-functional after about two years.
The Coordinator of the Network, Archibong Jeremiah, said the outreach was designed to support hygiene education and improve learning conditions for students.
He expressed concern that despite the school’s proximity to the Calabar South Local Government Council, it still suffers from inadequate water and sanitation facilities, raising questions about the situation in more remote schools.
“If a school located this close to government can face such challenges, then the conditions in more distant schools may be even more critical,” he observed.
The event concluded with an interactive session, validation remarks by the Vice Principal (Administration), Mrs. Felicia Archibong, and the distribution of sanitary pads to female students, reinforcing the importance of menstrual hygiene and sustained investment in school-based WASH initiatives.
As part of the broader commemoration, the Network also organised a two-day radio town hall meeting aired on Sparkling 92.3 FM and HIT 95.9 FM. The programme featured key stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector discussing the theme, “Water and Gender – Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.”
Kingsley Agim
