Foundation Empowers 500 FCT Women With Reusable Sanitary Pads
A non-governmental organisation, 9th Realm Foundation on Saturday distributed reusable sanitary pads to over 500 women and girls in the Galuwyi community, Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the organisers, the outreach was in collaboration with Silver Cross Hospitals.
The initiative, tagged: “Pads of Dignity”, aims to reduce school absenteeism among girls and empower women through menstrual health education.
The project, which is part of a five-year intervention plan, was launched following a needs assessment that revealed many girls in the community miss school during their menstrual cycles due to the unaffordability of sanitary products.
Speaking, the Founder of the 9th Realm Foundation, Winifred Mbashall, said the distribution marks the first phase of a broader empowerment programme.
“During one of our training sessions, we discovered that many girls skip school when menstruating because they cannot afford sanitary pads. Some resort to unhygienic alternatives like rags or cotton wool, which pose serious health risks,” she said.
According to her, the intervention goes beyond distribution. Beneficiaries received kits containing four reusable pads, soap, underwear, and care instructions.
Mbashall noted that the foundation plans to return to the community to train women and girls on how to make the reusable pads themselves, thereby ensuring sustainability and local production.
“We want to empower them to make these pads, teach others, and continue the cycle of impact. With support from the government, we hope to replicate this project in other communities,” she added.
Also speaking, the Medical Director of Silver Cross Hospitals and Chairman of Silver Cross Foundation, Dr Patrick Eze, emphasised the health implications of poor menstrual hygiene, citing risks such as infections and infertility.
Eze commended the reusable pad technology, noting that it offers a long-term solution compared to disposable pads, which take centuries to decompose.
“Government should adopt this initiative into primary healthcare programmes to ensure more underserved communities benefit.
“Using unsterile materials like cotton wool or wrappers increases the chances of serious health complications. This initiative provides a safer, long-term solution,” Eze said.
The District Head of Galuwyi, Chief Ezekiel Sariki, in his address, expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as a timely relief for women in the community.
“This will help our women save money and maintain hygiene. We will set up a local committee to monitor usage and ensure sustainability,” he stated.
The traditional leader also called on the government to improve basic amenities such as roads, electricity, and healthcare facilities in the area.
Foundation Empowers 500 FCT Women With Reusable Sanitary Pads is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
