A school-based outreach designed to educate young girls on menstruation, menstrual hygiene and provide free sanitary pads to alleviate period poverty is underway in Lagos State.
The initiative, spearheaded by EndoSurvivors International Foundation (ESIF) under its flagship programme, The Free Periods Campaign, is promoting menstrual well-being among 2,000 adolescent girls across 10 secondary schools in Kosofe Local Government Area.
Founder and Executive Director of ESIF, Mrs. Olivia Nwankudu, said the five-week campaign runs from September 25 to October 29 this year.
She noted that the outreach—approved by both the Lagos State Ministry of Education and the Lagos State Ministry of Health—is the sixth in the series.
According to her, the programme will provide free menstrual hygiene supplies and equip girls with knowledge of what a normal period should look and feel like.
“Globally, endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and is widely underdiagnosed, often taking 7–10 years for a proper diagnosis. Educating young girls early will help reduce late diagnosis in Nigeria,” she said.
Nwankudu emphasised that menstrual health awareness fosters early detection of reproductive health conditions, including endometriosis—a disorder where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing chronic pelvic pain and debilitating menstrual symptoms.
She added that the outreach includes interactive sessions on recognising symptoms, seeking timely help, promoting menstrual well-being, and combating period poverty.
Responding, Mrs. Bolanle F. Adeniyi, Director and Head of the Guidance and Counselling Unit, Lagos State Ministry of Education (District II), expressed appreciation to ESIF and its partners.
She noted that the initiative would greatly improve the students’ menstrual hygiene and overall well-being.
The benefiting schools include:Mende Senior High School, Maryland; Labeo Comprehensive College, Ifako Gbagada; Ikosi Senior High School, Ikosi; Alapere Comprehensive High School; Kosofe Senior College; Muslim Senior College, Oworoshoki; Aiyedere Ajibola Senior Grammar School, Ketu; Eva Adelaja Senior Girls Grammar School, Bariga; Angus Memorial Senior High School, Somolu; and Gbagada Senior Grammar School.-
Reporting by Julie Ekong