By Kazeem Waris
The Pad Me A Girl Empowerment Foundation has provided sanitary pads and educational materials to more than 100 schoolgirls at Igbesa High School (Junior), in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, as part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of the Girl Child.
The outreach, held on Wednesday, October 21, featured menstrual health education, mentorship, reading activities and a student drama presentation aimed at promoting girls’ health, dignity, education and awareness of their rights.
The programme, organised under the global theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights”, brought together students in Junior Secondary School classes 1 to 3 who participate in the school’s reading clubs.
Beneficiaries received sanitary pads, menstrual hygiene pamphlets, exercise books and pens to support their health and educational needs.
The initiative followed an appeal by Oyelami Yetunde Anuoluwapo and Blessing Kappo, teachers and Teach For Nigeria Fellows at the school, for support with sanitary products, learning materials and menstrual health education.
Responding to the request, the Foundation’s founder, Theresa Moses, led an interactive session to educate the girls on menstrual hygiene management, personal care and the importance of maintaining confidence during menstruation.
Speaking at the event, Moses said investing in girls’ health and education was essential to building a society where young women could pursue their aspirations without preventable barriers.
“Invest in girls and Nigeria will rise. Every girl deserves dignity, education and the right to dream beyond child marriage. That is why we are here; to ensure no girl misses school because of her period,” she said.
She added that access to sanitary products and accurate menstrual health information would help girls manage their periods confidently and participate fully in classroom and other school activities.
Teachers commend foundation’s intervention
In a letter of appreciation, Oyelami and Kappo described the outreach as impactful, noting that it strengthened the girls’ understanding of menstrual health, personal hygiene and self-confidence.
“You did not just give pads; you gave our girls confidence and hope,” the teachers wrote on behalf of the school community, expressing optimism about continued collaboration with the Foundation.
Mrs Amarachi Eze, Assistant Divisional Commissioner of the Nigerian Girl Guides Association, Ado-Odo/Ota, Ogun State Branch, also commended the organisation for supporting girls’ hygiene needs and development.
“We sincerely appreciate the Management of Pad Me A Girl Foundation for joining hands with the Association in supporting our girls on hygiene management. May God Almighty continue to uplift your foundation,” she said.
The programme also featured a student drama highlighting the consequences of child marriage, alongside reading and mentorship sessions designed to encourage the girls to understand their rights, value their education and pursue their ambitions.
Foundation seeks more support to end period poverty
The Foundation’s Media Coordinator, Oluwatosin Simon Faleye, called on corporate organisations, non-governmental organisations and individuals to support initiatives aimed at ending period poverty and keeping girls in school.
“For over a year, we have been committed to ending period poverty and keeping girls in school. We call on corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support this cause for the betterment of Nigeria,” Faleye said.
The Foundation acknowledged the support of its sponsors and partners, including Access Bank, Pro Star Sports International, BL Consulting, Vita Baites Foods, Checkers, Senator Ireti Kingibe and the Senate Committee on Women Affairs (SCOWAS), alongside individuals and media organisations.
Their contributions, the organisation said, have supported its broader mission of promoting menstrual health education, ending period poverty and empowering girls and women, particularly in underserved communities.
The outreach reinforces calls for schools, government agencies, development partners and private organisations to expand access to menstrual hygiene products and age-appropriate health education so that menstruation does not become a barrier to girls’ education.
