Abuja-July 18, 2021- United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UNODC consultant Mrs. Ugonna Ezekwem, former magistrate and long serving former UNODC staff, visited the Kano Medium Security Custodial Center to conduct interviews with select prisoners for an ongoing UNODC study on organized crime. While identifying suitable interviewees, Ugonna came across a young female prisoner who told her about the difficult conditions she and her 46 fellow inmates were facing with regard to their personal hygiene and selfcare - no access to soap, sanitary towels and other basic necessities.
Disturbed by these reports, Ugonna informed UNODC management who in turn contacted the
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). UNFPA has been supporting vulnerable women and girls across Nigeria, including those living in refugee and IDP camps. In that context, UNFPA's support includes the provision of
Dignity Kits, which provide women and girls with a range of products specifically designed to address their hygiene needs as well as challenges to resupply themselves, like for example washable and reusable sanitary pads. Within less than 48 hours, UNFPA mobilized 50 such kits and deployed them to the prison where they were distributed under the cheers of the women prisoners.[Read More]
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