In an effort to advance menstrual equity and hygiene education among adolescent girls, Impact Spring Africa, through its Pad Her Right Campaign funded by Smile Outreach, has taken its advocacy to two secondary schools in Lokoja, Holy Trinity Secondary School and Government Girls Secondary School, Serkin Numa.
Led by Tosin Toluwaloju, the campaign aims to create awareness and provide practical knowledge on menstrual hygiene, while empowering young girls with sustainable solutions for managing their menstrual health. Toluwaloju explained that the initiative builds on her NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) project launched earlier in January and seeks to reach at least 500 girls across the selected schools.
Speaking during the outreach, Toluwaloju noted that the project is designed to address the dual challenge of limited knowledge and poor access to menstrual care products. “Beyond creating awareness, we are helping girls learn how to produce reusable sanitary pads using locally available materials — a move that promotes sustainability, affordability, and confidence,” she said.
The interactive sessions featured breakout discussions where students learned about the menstrual cycle, hygiene practices, and strategies to overcome stigma associated with menstruation. Participants also engaged in hands-on training, gaining practical experience in making reusable sanitary pads — an eco-friendly option aimed at reducing period poverty.
As part of its long-term impact, the campaign team donated menstrual health booklets to the schools’ libraries, ensuring continued access to educational materials for both male and female students. Teachers and school administrators applauded the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that fosters awareness, gender sensitivity, and self-reliance among students.
