Financial technology company Moniepoint has partnered with the non-governmental organisation Sanitary Aid for Nigerian Girls (SANG) to support 500 schoolgirls in Lagos with sanitary kits, menstrual health education, and life skills training aimed at improving their wellbeing and future opportunities.
The initiative, held at New Era Girls Secondary School in Surulere, Lagos, marked the 2026 World Menstrual Hygiene Day celebration, themed “A Period-Friendly World.”
According to a statement released by the organisers, the programme was designed to address period poverty, promote menstrual hygiene awareness, and equip young girls with knowledge on female health, personal hygiene, and essential life skills.
The organisers highlighted the global challenge of menstrual poverty, noting that an estimated 500 million women and girls worldwide still lack adequate resources to manage menstruation safely and with dignity. Factors such as limited access to sanitary products, inadequate water and sanitation facilities, and persistent social stigma continue to worsen the situation.
They also cited recent research showing that poor menstrual hygiene management contributes to school absenteeism, emotional distress, and increased vulnerability among adolescent girls in Nigeria. Statistics indicate that more than 23 per cent of Nigerian girls aged 15 to 24 missed school due to menstruation within the past year, while another study found that 43 per cent were absent because of menstrual pain.
Speaking at the event, Moniepoint’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs, Edidiong Uwemakpan, stressed the link between menstrual health and economic empowerment.
She explained that girls who frequently miss school because of menstruation are at risk of falling behind academically, while women burdened by inadequate menstrual health support often face barriers to achieving financial independence.
Uwemakpan said Moniepoint views menstrual equity as an important component of its broader goal of promoting financial inclusion and economic opportunities for women and girls.
Founder of Sanitary Aid for Nigerian Girls, Karo Omu, disclosed that the organisation has distributed more than 80,000 sanitary pads and provided menstrual health education to over 53,000 girls across 23 states.
She noted that menstrual poverty extends beyond health concerns and can significantly limit women’s participation in economic activities, adding that combining menstrual health interventions with financial inclusion initiatives could create more sustainable pathways to empowerment.
The outreach programme featured sessions on menstrual hygiene, reproductive health, anatomy, financial literacy, confidence building, and personal development. Volunteers encouraged participants to view menstruation as a normal biological process that should not hinder their education or aspirations.
Moniepoint volunteer and Market Research Team Lead, Sophia Ukoni, described the programme as a rewarding opportunity to educate and inspire young girls. She said engaging with the students allowed volunteers to share practical knowledge on financial literacy while encouraging them to pursue their goals with confidence.
The organisers emphasised that achieving a truly period-friendly world will require sustained investments in menstrual health education, improved access to sanitary products, supportive learning environments, and policies that enable girls to manage their periods safely and with dignity.
