Red Cross distributes sanitary kits to 110 women living with disabilities in Kaduna

The Nigerian Red Cross, on Thursday, distributed sanitary kits to no fewer than 110 women of childbearing age living with disabilities in Kaduna.

The dignity kits contained reusable pads, disinfectants, bathing and washing soap, panties, toothpaste, brushes, among others.

Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the distribution, Halima Momoh said the category of the beneficiaries were selected because their needs are prioritised and usually forgotten in the society.

According to Momoh, who is the Protection, Gender and Inclusion Project Officer for the Nigerian Red Cross at the headquarters in Abuja, the women were more vulnerable than every other person in the society.

She added that such category of women were usually overlooked when activities were carried out or when interventions were brought.

“The reason why we are specifically focusing on them is to make sure that they have basic household dignity kits that everybody will need,” she said.

Momoh explained that Red Cross was working with six states, where 110 beneficiaries were selected to benefit from the dignity kits and all within the same criteria, of childbearing age, vulnerable and living with disability.

She said that one of the reasons why the Red Cross brought such initiative was to encourage people to join the organisation as a network of volunteers ranging from different status and works of life.

“So, we are trying to encourage people with disabilities to also join the Red Cross because it pushes a stronger message to make sure that we are inclusive in all our programs and other activities,” she said.

The project officer urged the beneficiaries to make effective use of their kits so as to improve their personal hygiene.

Two of the beneficiaries, Saudat Aliyu and Mercy David, thanked the Red Cross for the sanitary kits.

They said most of them never knew about reusable pads, adding that the initiative had empowered them to take care of their personal hygiene.

“The kits will help us maintain our dignity and confidence. We are encouraged to be self-sufficient and not depend on others. We can achieve what others can.

“We will make effective use of the kits and spread the word about personal hygiene,” the duo said.