The Pad Me A Girl Initiative, in partnership with the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, SCOWAS and Access Bank, has commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child with an impactful outreach at the Area 1 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Durumi, Abuja.
The event, themed “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” gathered hundreds of internally displaced girls and women alongside lawmakers, government officials, corporate partners, civil society groups, actors, and media representatives, all united in promoting menstrual health, dignity, and equal opportunity for girls.
In her welcome remarks, Theresa Moses, Convener of Pad Me A Girl Initiative and CEO of Gatmash Media, expressed gratitude to the Senate Committee, Access Bank, and other partners for their support, noting that the initiative seeks to bring hope and empowerment to vulnerable girls and women.
“This year’s theme reminds us that girls are not just victims of crisis, but resilient leaders and change-makers,” Moses said. “Our mission is to ensure that no girl is left behind because of her period, her circumstance, or her background.”
Through its Access Pad Me A Girl Pad Bank, the initiative has reached more than 5,000 girls and women with reusable pads, menstrual hygiene education, and self-esteem building sessions.
She also shared the inspiring story of 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu from Yobe State, who was crowned World’s Best in English Language Skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals in London, beating 20,000 contestants from 69 countries.
“Nafisa’s story is a reminder that brilliance can blossom anywhere — even in the most unlikely places,” Moses added.
Represented by her Personal Assistant, Mrs. Patricia Oyagha, the Chairperson, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, delivered a thought-provoking speech that addressed gender inequality and health stigma in Nigeria.
“For too long, menstruation has been shrouded in silence, stigma, and misinformation,” she said. “Silence around menstruation is not neutrality — it is neglect. And neglect has consequences.”
Senator Kingibe called for a national framework that recognizes menstrual health as a public health, education, and human rights priority, disclosing ongoing legislative efforts to: integrate menstrual health education into national school curricula; support policies for the affordability and availability of menstrual products; and strengthen collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society for grassroots impact.
“When we break the silence, we break the stigma. When we empower girls, we uplift communities. Menstrual hygiene is not a privilege, it’s a necessity,” she emphasized.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, FSI, represented by Mrs. Mariam Fitumi Shaibu, Deputy Director of Child Development at the Ministry, commended Pad Me A Girl Initiative for its contribution to gender inclusion and empowerment.
“Today’s celebration is not just to highlight challenges, but to celebrate the strength, resilience, and leadership of the Nigerian girl,” she said.
She revealed that the Ministry is currently reviewing key national instruments, including the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (2015), the Child Rights Act (2003), and the National Child Policy (2009).
The Minister also announced the validation of the National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management, aimed at normalizing menstrual conversations and ensuring nationwide access to hygiene products, facilities, and information.
“Empowering the girl child is not charity; it is nation building,” she affirmed. “The future of Nigeria depends on how well we protect and empower our girls today.”
The event featured a health education session led by Mrs. Blessing Amos, Abuja Team Lead of the Initiative, focusing on menstrual hygiene management, body confidence, and the importance of ending menstrual taboos.
It also included the distribution of empowerment packs containing reusable sanitary pads, exercise books, and food items such as corn flour (Tuwo Masara), custard, and kuli-kuli to hundreds of displaced girls and women.
Supported by ProStar Sports International, BL Consulting, and Vita Baites Foods, the outreach ended with renewed commitment among participants to promote girl-child education, menstrual dignity, and inclusive empowerment across Nigeria.
Pad Me A Girl Initiative is a gender advocacy and empowerment project under Gatmash Media, committed to promoting menstrual hygiene, reproductive health education, and girl-child empowerment. Through its Access Pad Bank, the Initiative has supported over 5,000 beneficiaries across Nigeria with reusable sanitary products, mentorship, and community health education.