The African Immigrants Resource Centre (AIRC), USA, through its Give a Girl a Pad (GAGAP) initiative programme, has called for collective action to eradicate menstrual poverty and promote menstrual hygiene among teenage girls across Nigeria.
The Convener of the AIRC, Engr. Chimezie Oji-Kalu made the call during the commemoration of the 2026 World Menstrual Hygiene Day on Sunday in Port Harcourt.
Oji-Kalu represented by Mrs Doris Nwakuna, the Coordinator of the organisation in Rivers, described the theme:” Together for a Period-Friendly” as a call to collective responsibility, stressing that no girl should feel ashamed, isolated, unsafe or denied opportunities because of menstruation.
She said menstruation was a natural and healthy part of womanhood, adding that every girl deserved dignity, confidence, education, and access to proper menstrual hygiene support.
According to her, the organisation’s menstrual hygiene outreach in 2026 had empowered thousands of girls across the country, with sanitary pads, including over 5,000 girls in Imo, 600 in Abia, 600 in Lagos, 1,780 in Abuja, 580 in Nasarawa and more than 2,800 in Rivers.
“Behind every number is a real story of a girl whose confidence has been restored, whose future has been strengthened and whose voice is now heard,” she said.
The convener urged teenage girls not to feel inferior because of menstruation, describing it as a symbol of strength, growth, and the uniqueness of womanhood.
She noted that menstrual hygiene education went beyond the distribution of sanitary pads, adding that it also involved restoring confidence, promoting good health, and breaking harmful myths and stigma surrounding menstruation.
Oji-Kalu expressed concern that many girls in rural and underserved communities still missed school due to lack of access to sanitary products and menstrual health information, while some resorted to unsafe alternatives that endangered their health.
She appealed to government agencies, corporate organisations, development partners, philanthropists, NGOs, and Nigerians in the diaspora to partner with the organisation in tackling menstrual poverty.
According to her, menstrual poverty is not only a health issue but also one of dignity, equality, education, and human rights, stressing that no girl should be denied opportunities because of her menstrual cycle.
Oji-Kalu called on governments at all levels to strengthen policies that would invest in menstrual health programmes.
She also urged individuals and organisations to support the group through sponsorships, advocacy, donations, and outreach activities.
Similarly, Venerable, Okechukwu Owhonda in charge of St Simon’s Anglican Church, Okporo District commended the Convener of the programme Engr. Oji-Kalu and her team for empowering the girls with sanitary pads and health tips about their menstrual hygiene.
Owhonda represented by Miss Monica Iwezor, the Teenage Coordinator St. Simon’s Anglican Church, Okporo District, described the programme as impactful and beneficial.
He advised the girls to prioritise cleanliness, hygiene, and their dignity, adding that they should never feel ashamed of their womanhood.
Some of the beneficiaries thanked African Immigrants Resource Centre for the sensitisation programme and distribution of sanitary products.
