EEN Foundation Champions Menstrual Health and Dignity for Girls on International Women’s Day

On March 8th, 2025, in celebration of International Women’s Day, the Education and Empowerment for the Needy (EEN) Foundation brought a message of hope, empowerment, and dignity to the students of Chibless Youngster Academy through its impactful “Pad-a-Girl” campaign. This initiative, led by the visionary Managing Director, Fr. Dr. Dominic Umo, and the dynamic Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Samuel Clement Akorokpor, focused on promoting menstrual health awareness and support for young girls in underserved communities.

Backed by a committed team including Imaobong, Simi, and other passionate volunteers, the EEN Foundation distributed over 200 sanitary pads to schoolgirls, initiating crucial conversations around menstruation, hygiene, and the importance of education.

Breaking the Silence Around Menstrual Health

In many communities across Nigeria and Africa at large, menstruation is still shrouded in silence, misinformation, and shame. This stigma often leads to girls missing school, suffering in silence, or managing their periods in unhygienic ways that pose health risks. Recognizing this, the EEN Foundation designed the Pad-a-Girl campaign not just as a donation event but as a platform for education and open dialogue.

At Chibless Youngster Academy, the team facilitated a series of interactive sessions, providing students with age-appropriate information about menstrual health and hygiene. The discussions covered everything from the biology of menstruation to practical tips on how to manage it hygienically and with confidence. The girls were encouraged to ask questions, share their experiences, and dismantle the shame associated with a completely natural process.

“Many of the girls here have never had the opportunity to talk about menstruation in a safe space,” said Imaobong, a key team member who helped lead the interactive discussions. “Today, we gave them that space and showed them that they are not alone.”

Beyond the Pads: A Message of Empowerment

For the EEN Foundation, the Pad-a-Girl campaign was also an opportunity to celebrate womanhood and remind young girls of their worth, potential, and power. The event featured short talks from Fr. Dr. Dominic Umo and Mr. Samuel Clement Akorokpor, who both emphasized the importance of education for girls and the need to overcome the barriers that hold them back.

“When a girl is educated, a nation is transformed,” Fr. Dr. Umo stated passionately. “Our goal is to ensure that no girl misses out on her education simply because she is menstruating.”

The COO, Mr. Akorokpor, also reiterated the Foundation’s dedication to creating equal opportunities for all children. “Today, it’s pads. Tomorrow, it’s scholarships. We are here for the long haul. We are here to ensure these girls not only stay in school but thrive.”

Community Reception and Lasting Impact

The school administration expressed deep gratitude to the EEN Foundation for choosing Chibless Youngster Academy as a beneficiary of such a thoughtful and impactful campaign. Teachers noted that beyond the materials distributed, the knowledge shared would make a lasting difference in the lives of their students.

“This campaign has opened up a conversation that has been long overdue,” said one of the teachers. “We are inspired to continue this dialogue in our school curriculum.”

Many of the girls were visibly moved, some even shedding tears of joy as they expressed how much the support meant to them. For most of them, it was the first time they were receiving sanitary pads as a gift and hearing adults speak so openly and respectfully about menstruation.

Looking Ahead: Scaling the Pad-a-Girl Campaign

The EEN Foundation sees the success of the Chibless Youngster Academy visit as a blueprint for expanding the Pad-a-Girl campaign to more schools and communities in the coming months. With the guidance of Fr. Dr. Dominic Umo and the operational expertise of Mr. Akorokpor, the Foundation is determined to continue breaking barriers and building bridges for girls everywhere.

“This is just the beginning,” said Simi, another dedicated volunteer. “There are thousands of girls out there who need what we brought here today – not just the pads, but the education, the reassurance, and the belief that they matter.”

Through initiatives like this, the EEN Foundation continues to live out its mission of educating and empowering the needy. By focusing on menstrual health as a gateway to educational equality, the Foundation has set a powerful precedent: when girls are given the tools to manage their bodies with confidence and dignity, they are empowered to own their future.