News
IWD 2026: JCI Abuja Unity, SEF Distribute Sanitary Pads to 500 Women, Girls in FCT
The Junior Chamber International (JCI) Abuja Unity Chapter, in collaboration with the Sam Empowerment Foundation (SEF) and other partners, has distributed sanitary pads to over 500 girls and women in the Federal Capital Territory as part of activities marking the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration.
The outreach saw adolescent girls aged 13–17 at Junior Secondary School Gwarinpa in Abuja receive sanitary pads, while women at an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in the Kaura District also benefited from the initiative.
Speaking to journalists during the outreach at the school, Program Director of SEF, Dr. Kiema Ogunlana, said the initiative was designed to promote menstrual hygiene awareness among young girls and women.
She explained that the campaign aligns with the theme of the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration, “Give to Gain,” noting that the goal is to equip young girls with knowledge about proper menstrual health management.
“We are here to impart knowledge about menstrual hygiene to our young ones. We want them to understand the peculiarities of menstrual management,” Ogunlana said.
According to her, the sensitization program also involved male students to help address misconceptions and stigma surrounding menstruation.
“We sensitized the boys to understand what girls go through during menstruation. We made them realize that girls should not be laughed at during this period,” she added.
Ogunlana encouraged girls not to feel ashamed during their menstrual cycles, noting that stigma often arises when girls lack access to water or proper sanitation facilities.
“Some girls feel ashamed and stigmatized, especially in situations where they lack access to water for cleanup. We urge them not to be discouraged but to seek better ways to practice hygiene during their cycles,” she said.
She also called on government authorities to establish sanitary pad banks and improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities in schools.
“We are calling for subsidized pad banks, provision of clean water, and timely WASH funding to make things easier for girls during their monthly cycles. It is sad that period poverty is rising, with many girls unable to afford sanitary pads,” she said.
President of JCI Abuja Unity Chapter, Ambassador Unwana Bright Ekong, also urged the Federal Ministry of Education and other relevant agencies to ensure that government schools have adequate toilet facilities to support students’ hygiene.
“We are calling on the government to ensure our public schools meet good standards and provide conducive environments at all times,” she said.
Ekong emphasized that menstruation is a natural biological process and should not be treated as a sickness or source of shame.
“The collaborative drive is to destigmatize myths, foster hygiene education, ensure proper pad disposal, and empower girls for confident womanhood,” she added.
Past President of JCI Abuja Unity, Joy Lawrence, noted that the initiative forms part of the organization’s ongoing efforts to improve hygiene awareness among young girls in the FCT.
“This is part of JCI’s efforts to provide pads and promote confidence among girls. We encourage other organizations to contribute in their own ways to make a difference in the country,” she said.
She also appealed to corporate organizations and government institutions to support girls’ education by providing adequate water supply and toilet facilities in public schools.
One of the student beneficiaries, AbdulRaheem Rukayat, expressed appreciation to the organizers for donating sanitary pads to her school.
“I want other NGOs to step in and support female students struggling to buy menstrual hygiene kits. This program has boosted my confidence and will have a ripple effect on my peers,” she said.
Following the school outreach, the team proceeded to the Kaura community in the FCT, where sanitary pads and food items were distributed to more than 300 women.
Another beneficiary, Rekiya Adamu, expressed gratitude, describing the support as a form of empowerment for women in her community.
Follow BONA NAIJA for more
