By Justina Auta
The African Immigrants Resources Centre (AIRC), through its Give A Girl A Pad (GAGAP) initiative, has distributed menstrual hygiene products to girls in selected schools in the FCT and Nasarawa State to tackle period poverty.
The intervention was aimed at improving menstrual hygiene, supporting girls’ health and education, and ensuring access to sanitary products for vulnerable students in underserved communities.
The Convener of GAGAP, Mrs Chimezie Oji-Kalu, said the intervention at Redeemer Schools, Karu and Aunty Alice Schools, Mararaba, marked the 2026 World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration activities on Tuesday.
Oji-Kalu was represented by Mrs Rita Egbuta, FCT and Nasarawa state GAGAP Coordinator.
She added that the programme formed part of efforts to promote menstrual hygiene awareness and support girls’ health and education through targeted school-based outreach activities.
According to her, the initiative is aimed at breaking the silence surrounding menstruation and promoting menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls through education, support and access to safe and hygienic menstrual products across communities.
“Menstruation is a natural process, but it can be a source of shame, stigma and discomfort for many girls.
“By providing sanitary pads and menstrual hygiene education, we aim to reduce absenteeism, promote girls’ education and empower them to take control of their health,” she said.
Oji-Kalu said the organisation had reached thousands of girls across the country through its menstrual hygiene intervention programmes, with more than 1,400 girls in Abuja and Nasarawa State receiving sanitary pads in May alone.
She added that more than 300 girls benefitted from similar interventions in Abia, while sanitary pads were also distributed to 5,000 girls and women in Imo, 500 girls in Lagos and 1,200 students in Rivers.
The convener, however, identified inadequate funding and limited access to schools and vulnerable communities as major challenges affecting the sustainability and expansion of the menstrual hygiene intervention programme across the country.
“We rely on donations, grants and support from public-spirited individuals and organisations.
“We urge governments, development partners, corporate organisations and philanthropists to partner with us in promoting menstrual hygiene and supporting girls’ education,” she said.
Also, Mrs Angela Igboanugo, Media Personnel of GAGAP, said the outreach focused on educating girls on menstrual hygiene management, personal safety and the importance of prioritising education and maintaining proper hygiene during menstruation.
“We taught them that menstruation is a natural occurrence and they should not be ashamed of it.
“We also advised them to focus on their education and understand the importance of personal hygiene, including changing sanitary pads regularly and keeping themselves clean,” she said.
Earlier, Mrs Franca Ejembi, a representative of the host school, commended the organisation for the intervention, describing it as timely and impactful, especially for girls from low-income households struggling to access sanitary pads.
“Some parents are able to provide sanitary pads for their children, but there are still girls from poor backgrounds who struggle.
“Programmes like this will help bridge the gap and support vulnerable girls, especially with the current economic challenges,” she said.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
