Menstruation is a natural and essential part of every girl’s life, experienced by millions of young girls across the world. Yet, in lugbe community, Abuja, many secondary school girls face a heartbreaking challenge—lack of access to sanitary pads and other basic menstrual hygiene products.

From as early as the age of ten, many girls begin their menstrual journey. Instead of going through this stage of life with confidence and dignity, these young girls are often forced to stay home from school whenever they are on their period. The reason is simple yet devastating: they cannot afford the basic products needed to manage their menstruation—such as sanitary pads, clean water, and soap.

As a classroom teacher, I have witnessed this issue firsthand. Over the past months, I’ve observed a troubling rise in female student absenteeism. After speaking with parents, I discovered the painful truth: many girls are forced to use old rags during their periods. These improvised materials often leak, leading to stained uniforms and public embarrassment.

This humiliation is compounded by the lack of empathy from their peers, especially some boys, who ridicule and period-shame them instead of providing support. Faced with the fear of disgrace, many girls would rather stay home, missing valuable days of learning.

Each missed school day deepens the gap in their education, leading to learning poverty, where students fall behind academically due to prolonged absences. Over time, this negatively impacts their performance, confidence, and future opportunities.

The effects go beyond academics. Using unhygienic materials like rags can cause severe infections, posing a threat to the girls’ reproductive health and overall well-being. Their self-esteem diminishes, and their zeal for education fades, leaving them vulnerable to dropping out entirely.

The Solution: Providing Dignity Through Menstrual Hygiene Support

There is a simple yet powerful solution: providing sanitary pads and menstrual hygiene products to every girl aged ten and above in secondary schools across Sauka community.

By doing so, we can:

Improve school attendance and academic performance, ensuring girls remain in classrooms and excel alongside their peers.

Promote good reproductive health, reducing the risks of infections and other health complications.

Build self-confidence, empowering girls to embrace their education and their future with pride.

Foster empathy and support among boys, teaching them to be allies rather than critics, while helping to end stigma and period shame.

The Time to Act is Now

No girl should have to miss school simply because she is menstruating. By ensuring that girls have access to the resources they need to manage their periods with dignity, we are not just giving them sanitary pads—we are giving them education, health, confidence, and a brighter future.

Together, we can break the cycle of period poverty, build a supportive community, and create a generation of young people—boys and girls alike—who are educated, empowered, and ready to change the world.

The time to take action is now. Let’s ensure that no girl in lugbe community is left behind because of her period.