As the world marks International Women’s Day 2026, the Pad Me A Girl Empowerment Foundation has expanded its menstrual hygiene outreach to women and girls living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across Nigeria.
The initiative, which aligns with the global celebration of women’s achievements and rights, focuses on providing sanitary pads, menstrual hygiene education, and educational support to vulnerable girls and women in displaced communities.
In a statement released on Sunday in Abuja and signed by the foundation’s founder, Theresa Moses, the organisation said the outreach is part of its commitment to restoring dignity and promoting the health of women and girls affected by displacement.
The programme is currently being implemented in several IDP camps including the Area 1 Durumi IDP Camp in Abuja, Ortese IDP Camp in Benue State, and Kadarko IDP Camp in Nasarawa State.
According to the foundation, more than 8,500 women and girls have so far benefited from its menstrual hygiene interventions, with the number expected to increase as the initiative continues to expand to more communities.
The organisation noted that lack of access to sanitary products remains a serious challenge for girls and women in underserved communities, often affecting their health, confidence, and ability to remain active in school and daily life.
Speaking on the significance of the International Women’s Day outreach, Moses stressed the importance of investing in the wellbeing of girls and women.
“International Women’s Day is a reminder that investing in girls is investing in the future of our communities
“Through this outreach, we are not only distributing sanitary pads but also restoring dignity, confidence and hope to thousands of women and girls living in displaced communities, ” she said.
Beyond sanitary pad distribution, the foundation disclosed that beneficiaries also receive menstrual health education, exercise books, writing materials, and food items to support girls’ education and encourage them to remain in school.
Through the Access Pad Me A Girl initiative, supported by Access Bank Plc, the organisation has also established a Pad Bank that enables the monthly distribution of free sanitary pads to girls and women in IDP camps.
The initiative, according to the foundation, has provided critical support for displaced girls who previously struggled to manage their menstrual health due to lack of access to sanitary materials.
The Abuja Coordinator of the foundation, Blessing Amos, described the programme as a life-changing intervention for many girls living in the camps.
“Many of the girls we interact with in the camps face serious challenges managing their menstrual health.
Providing them with sanitary pads, education, school materials and food items gives them confid
ence and hope,” she said.
Similarly, the Benue State Coordinator, Salome Edwin Alamoh, emphasized the urgent need for sustained support in displaced communities.
“In camps like Ortese in Benue State, the need for menstrual hygiene support is very high.
This outreach is not just about distributing pads; it is about giving these girls a sense of dignity and reminding them that they are not forgotten,” she said.
The foundation used the occasion of International Women’s Day to call on government agencies, corporate organisations, development partners and individuals to support initiatives that promote menstrual health and women’s dignity.
“No girl should lose her confidence, dignity, or education because she cannot afford sanitary pads,” Moses added.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to expanding its programmes to reach more vulnerable communities across Nigeria, while continuing to advocate for menstrual health awareness, education, and empowerment for girls and women.
