The “Pad Me A Girl Initiative” marked Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 with dual outreaches in Ogun State and Abuja, distributing sanitary pads and education to over 500 girls, advocating for menstrual dignity and fighting period poverty

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a significant effort to mark Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, the “Pad Me A Girl Initiative,” a flagship project of GATMASH MEDIA, conducted remarkable dual outreaches on Tuesday, May 28, 2025.

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

Events were held at Isolog College, Akute, Ogun State, and the Area 1 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, Durumi, Abuja.

Under the theme “Overcoming the Challenges in 2030,” the initiative passionately advocated for menstrual dignity, fought against period poverty, and empowered young girls through crucial knowledge and free essential supplies.

This year’s commemoration went beyond symbolic gestures, directly addressing core menstrual health issues in communities often overlooked, particularly schoolgirls and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The outreach at Area 1 IDP Camp, Durumi, Abuja, commenced with an emotional and impactful session where dozens of displaced young girls and women gathered.

The “Pad Me A Girl Initiative” team brought not only supplies but also a deep sense of compassion, leading a lively and informative session on menstrual hygiene management.

Girls were taught how to stay clean, safe, and confident during their periods, with emphasis on hygiene practices, myth-busting, and emotional support for those who have endured hardship in displacement.

Items distributed included free sanitary pads, comprehensive menstrual hygiene guides, exercise books, pens, and opportunities for one-on-one counseling and Q&A.

A girl should not miss school, sports, or success because of her period. This initiative is about restoring what was taken from so many girls: dignity.

A 14-year-old beneficiary and camp resident, Zainab Bature, expressed her profound satisfaction: “This is the first time someone talked to me about my period in a kind way. I now understand that it is normal, not a curse.”

Concurrently, a spirited and inspiring event took place at Isolog College, Akute, in collaboration with the school’s leadership, providing an excellent platform for frank conversations with students.

In her keynote address, Theresa Moses, Convener of “Pad Me A Girl Initiative” and Chief Executive Officer, Gatmash Media, emphasized that Menstrual Hygiene Day is “not just a date, but a call to action.”

She stressed, “A girl should not miss school, sports, or success because of her period. This initiative is about restoring what was taken from so many girls: dignity.”

Moses, a media entrepreneur and gender advocate, detailed the mission and achievements of the “Pad Me A Girl Initiative,” including the distribution of over 2,000 reusable and disposable sanitary pads in underserved communities.

The initiative has also established a “Pad Bank” to serve girls and women in need in IDP camps, rural schools, and marketplaces.

The convener reiterated, “We are committed to making menstrual hygiene a basic right, not a luxury. Through the Pad Bank, we want to ensure that no girl or woman will ever choose between a meal and getting a pad again.”

Moses further emphasized that menstrual hygiene extends beyond physical health to encompass confidence, inclusion, and gender equality.

Mrs. Amina Omoike, the Guest Speaker, Media Expert, and Life Coach, delivered a touching and relatable talk, drawing from her personal journey.

“When I had my first period, I thought something was wrong with me. No one told me it was natural. Today, I tell you—it is not just natural, it is powerful,” she recounted.

Mrs. Omoike provided practical advice on key hygiene practices, including changing pads every 4–6 hours, washing hands, avoiding perfumed soaps, and choosing breathable fabrics.

She powerfully stressed the need for young girls to ask questions, speak up, and be their sister’s keeper, stating, “You are not alone. If you are confused, talk to your teacher, your mother, or your friend. Shame dies when we speak.”

Earlier, in her opening remarks, the Vice Principal of Isolog College, Mrs. Ihomuehe Egumah, lauded the program: “This is not just a programme, it’s a legacy moment.

Today we give our girls what many of us never had: knowledge, support, and dignity. We thank the “Pad Me A Girl Initiative” for choosing our school and sowing these seeds of confidence.”

She encouraged students to be proud of their identity and not allow shame or stigma to define their experience with menstruation.

Goodwill messages were also shared by partners, including Mr. Lawal Abiodun Adeyemi of BL Consulting, who noted, “This initiative is the kind of action our country needs. It doesn’t just provide materials; it builds a movement. Pad Me A Girl is changing lives, one girl at a time.”

Mr. Paul Maduakor, CEO, ProStar Sports International, added, “I see champions in this room. Girls who will go on to become leaders, athletes, doctors, and innovators. Periods do not define you—your dreams do.”

Beyond providing essential materials like sanitary pads, pens, exercise books, and menstrual hygiene booklets, the initiative also shared referral and access information for the Pad Bank.

“This did not only equip the girls physically, but also gave them long-term tools to manage their health and studies with confidence. We are not just giving out pads—we are rewriting the story of what it means to be a girl in Nigeria,” Theresa Moses reiterated.

The twin outreach programs successfully reached over 500 girls and young women at both locations, leaving behind not only supplies but new narratives of empowerment.

Also read: Access Bank partners with ‘PAD Me A Girl’ initiative to launch ‘Pad Bank’ for period poverty

The “Pad Me A Girl Initiative,” a menstrual health campaign by GATMASH MEDIA, remains committed to ending period poverty and advancing menstrual equity through advocacy, education, sanitary product distribution, and sustainable Pad Bank networks, with a reach of over 2,500 girls and ongoing programs across Nigeria.