By Jumoke Olaitan
‎
‎Lola Cater Foundation says its menstrual health outreaches across the country have exposed gaps in student’s knowledge of menstruation, highlighting the need for improved education to address misconceptions and period stigma.
‎
‎The Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Miss Ololade Ogunnubi, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Saturday.
‎
‎Ogunnubi said the foundation’s school outreaches had revealed worrying misconceptions about menstruation among students, particularly boys.
‎
‎She recalled that during one of the visits, a boy described menstruation as a dirty substance that came out of girls every month.
‎
‎“That response showed us that there was a need to educate boys that menstruation is a natural process and not something dirty.
‎
‎“We have to explain the mood swings, body changes and pains girls experience during their periods so that boys can understand and support them rather than make fun of them,” she said.
‎
‎She said educating boys was also important in addressing period shaming, which could make girls uncomfortable and affect their confidence in school.
‎
According to her, some girls also lacked basic knowledge of menstrual hygiene, including how frequently sanitary pads should be changed.
‎
‎“Some girls thought they could use one sanitary pad throughout the day. We had to educate them on the right hygiene practices and how to take care of themselves during menstruation,” she said.
‎
‎Ogunnubi cited inadequate funding, limited access to menstrual products and cultural misconceptions, which often leave girls in underserved communities without proper menstrual health information and hygiene kits.
‎
‎The foundation’s CEO said volunteers and menstrual health ambassadors had been instrumental in taking awareness campaigns to different communities.

‎She said the foundation had, so far, reached more than 20,000 people across over 15 states in the last six years through community outreaches, school visits and menstrual health awareness campaigns.
‎
‎She said the initiative was designed to educate girls and boys, as well as women and men, on menstruation and the importance of supporting girls during their menstrual periods.
‎
‎“Girls need to understand their bodies, while boys also need to understand what happens before, during and after menstruation and how they can support the girl child,” she said.

She recalled that the foundation had on Oct. 28, announced plans to reach 5,000 girls across Nigeria with menstrual health education, books and hygiene support by May 28, 2027.

She explained that the move was part of efforts to bridge the menstrual hygiene knowledge gap and promote girls’ health, confidence and dignity.

‎Ogunnubi added that the foundation also unveiled a book titled, “My First Period: A Young Girl’s Guide to Confidence, Courage and Growing Up” during the “She Is Ready 2026” at the event in Abuja.

She explained that the book was designed to equip girls with essential knowledge about menstruation and puberty.

She commended Softcare, a major personal care and hygiene brand for supporting the event with sanitary pads and wipes for the menstrual hygiene kits, distributed to participants.
‎
‎She particularly appreciated the Softcare representative, Mr Osasona Dolapo, for travelling from Lagos to Abuja to handover the donations.

“We are grateful for the company’s support.

“We also appreciated Mr Bamidele Salam, founder of the Children of Africa Leadership and Values Development Initiative (CALDEV Africa), for facilitating the unveiling of the book and purchasing 500 copies.

“This is a major contribution towards ensuring that more girls have access to menstrual health information,” she said.
‎
‎Ogunnubi called for more partnerships and support to extend menstrual health education to rural girls, women and persons with disabilities.‎(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

========
Edited by Philip Yatai