Pad Me A Girl Initiative empowers displaced girls in Abuja with menstrual health support, backed by Senate, Access Bank and Women Affairs Ministry

Pad Me A Girl Initiative has once again taken bold action to empower young girls by hosting a transformative celebration for the International Day of the Girl Child at the Area 1 IDP Camp, Durumi, Abuja, in partnership with the Senate Committee on Women Affairs (SCOWAS) and Access Bank.

Also read: Pad Me A Girl Initiative empowers over 500 girls in Menstrual Hygiene Day outreaches

The event, held on Monday, October 13, 2025, brought together hundreds of internally displaced girls and women, alongside government officials, civil society, and corporate partners.

It was an inspiring display of unity and purpose, aimed at amplifying the voices of girls in crisis and championing menstrual health and dignity.

In her moving welcome address, Theresa Moses, Convener of the Pad Me A Girl Initiative and CEO of Gatmash Media, called for sustained efforts to eliminate barriers that hold young girls back.

She said this year’s theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis”, underscores that girls are not mere victims but resilient leaders and change-makers.

“At Pad Me A Girl, our mission is to ensure that no girl is left behind because of her period, her circumstance, or her background,” Moses affirmed passionately.

Through its Access Pad Me A Girl Pad Bank, the initiative has already supported more than 5,000 girls and women with reusable pads, menstrual hygiene education, and confidence-building programmes.

Moses highlighted the extraordinary achievement of 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu from Yobe State, who won World’s Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London, triumphing over 20,000 participants from 69 nations.

“Nafisa’s story is proof that brilliance can bloom anywhere,” she said.

Represented by Mrs Patricia Oyagha, Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, delivered a powerful and emotional message on the urgent need to end menstrual stigma in Nigeria.

“Silence around menstruation is not neutrality; it is neglect. And neglect has consequences,” she warned.

Senator Kingibe revealed the Committee’s plans to integrate menstrual health education into school curricula, make menstrual products more affordable, and encourage deeper collaboration between government and the private sector.

“When we break the silence, we break the stigma. When we empower girls, we uplift communities,” she added, receiving a standing ovation.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim (FSI), represented by Mrs Mariam Fitumi Shaibu, also commended the Pad Me A Girl Initiative for its outstanding grassroots impact.

She announced the validation of the National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management, designed to normalise conversations around menstruation and promote nationwide access to hygiene products and facilities.

“The future of Nigeria depends on how well we protect and empower our girls today,” the Minister said. “Empowering the girl child is not charity; it is nation building.”

The event also featured an engaging health education session led by Mrs Blessing Amos, Abuja Team Lead for Pad Me A Girl Initiative, focused on menstrual hygiene, body confidence, and dispelling myths surrounding menstruation.

Empowerment packs containing reusable sanitary pads, exercise books, corn flour, custard, and other essentials were distributed to participants.

The programme, supported by ProStar Sports International, BL Consulting, and Vita Baites Foods, ended on a hopeful note with renewed calls for gender equity and menstrual dignity.

Also read: “Access PAD Me A Girl Initiative” empowers IDP women, girls with reusable sanitary pads, menstrual hygiene education

The Pad Me A Girl Initiative continues to lead by example, proving that with compassion, collaboration, and consistency, every girl no matter her background can rise, lead, and change the world.