Coalition Launches Sustainable Pad Banks in FCT Schools to Tackle Period Poverty

A coalition comprising the Coalition of Media Health and Rights Initiative of Nigeria (MHR), the League of Nigerian Women Voters, FCT Chapter (NILOWV FCT), and the Julebrama Women and Children Initiative (JUWACI), has launched Sustainable Pad Banks in two secondary schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to combat period poverty and promote menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls.

The Pad Banks were inaugurated at Government Secondary School Giri and Government Secondary School Piwoyi to provide free sanitary pads to students in need and help reduce school absenteeism linked to lack of menstrual hygiene products.

Speaking during the launch, Executive Director of MHR, Alu Azege, described period poverty as a major but often neglected challenge affecting the education, dignity, and wellbeing of many girls across Nigeria.

She noted that the high cost of sanitary products forces many girls to resort to unsafe alternatives such as old clothes, tissue paper, and newspapers during menstruation.

“A girl should not have to choose between buying sanitary pads and buying food. She should not have to beg or stay home because of her period. The Pad Bank is a simple but important tool to remove one of the obstacles standing in the way of girls’ education and confidence,” Azege said.

Chairperson of NILOWV FCT, Sandra Ogbonna, assured students that the coalition would sustain the initiative through regular restocking of the Pad Banks to ensure continuous access to sanitary products.

She also urged girls not to feel ashamed of menstruation, stressing the need to end stigma surrounding menstrual health.

“To the girls, never be ashamed of your periods. Menstruation is natural, and you deserve to feel safe and confident in school every day,” she stated.

Also speaking, Director of Operations of JUWACI, Margaret Adatso, who represented the Executive Director, Chief Jennifer Alih, encouraged students not to hide or fear menstruation, emphasizing that it is a natural part of life that should never hinder girls from pursuing their education.

The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to promoting menstrual health rights, ending menstrual stigma in schools, and creating safer and more inclusive learning environments for adolescent girls.

Principals of the benefiting schools commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.

Principal of Government Secondary School Giri, Gwagwalada Area Council, Mr. Ayedara Francis, said the initiative aligns with existing educational and health goals within the school system and would improve students’ confidence, attendance, and overall wellbeing.

According to the school authorities, empowering girls and ensuring they feel safe within school environments would create positive impacts on families, communities, and society at large.

The Sustainable Pad Bank Initiative, according to the coalition, reflects the commitment of the three organisations to advancing menstrual health rights, supporting girls’ education, and ensuring that no student is left behind because of a natural biological process.