Access to menstrual hygiene products remains a major challenge for millions of young women and girls across Africa.
Many female students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education struggle to afford basic sanitary products, forcing some to miss classes, experience discomfort, or resort to unsafe alternatives. Studies indicate that a significant number of girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss school during their menstrual cycle due to lack of access to sanitary products and adequate hygiene facilities, affecting their education, confidence, and overall well-being.
In Nigeria alone, the situation is particularly concerning, with reports indicating that over 30 million girls lack access to proper menstrual hygiene products, while many students lose several days of academic participation each month due to period poverty.
In response to this urgent need, the Human and Environmental Life Preservation and Empowerment and Relief Organization Inc.-HELPER. is launching a major menstrual health and hygiene initiative aimed at supporting female students in higher institutions.
The program will distribute free sanitary pads to 3,000,000 female students along with comprehensive hygiene kits across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education in Nigeria and selected African countries.
This initiative seeks to promote menstrual dignity, health awareness, and equal educational opportunity by ensuring that young women have access to safe menstrual products and hygiene education.
Through partnerships with institutions, volunteers, and development partners, HELPER aims to reduce period poverty, improve menstrual health awareness, and empower female students to pursue their education without interruption or stigma.
By investing in menstrual health, we are investing in education, gender equality, and the future of young women across Africa.
Date: October 28th, 2026
Venue: Imo State University auditorium.
Time: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Activity
10:00 AM
Arrival & Registration
10:15 AM
Opening Prayer
10:20 AM
Welcome Address – HELPER President
10:30 AM
Keynote Talk: Menstrual Hygiene & Health: All you need to know as a girl.
11:00 AM
Interactive Session / Q&A
11:30 AM
Distribution of Sanitary Packs
12:30 PM
Vote of Thanks
12:45 PM
Group Photographs & Media Interviews
1:00 PM
Closing.
Distribution of free sanitary pads to 3,000,000 female students in Universities, Polytechnics, and colleges of education across Nigeria and selected countries in Africa.
RESTORING DIGNITY, ONE GIRL AT A TIME….