In a bold move to combat period poverty, Anambra First Lady Dr. Nonye Soludo has inaugurated pad banks in 300 schools, declaring menstrual health a right, not a privilege.
The initiative, part of her Healthy Living campaign, aims to ensure no girl misses school due to her period; Restoring dignity, and inspiring statewide action.
As part of activities to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, Dr. Nonye Soludo, the wife of the Anambra State Governor, has launched a transformative initiative aimed at improving menstrual health among schoolgirls across the state. Under her flagship Healthy Living Initiative, Dr. Soludo officially inaugurated pad banks in 300 schools on Tuesday, May 28, in a significant step toward addressing the menstrual hygiene challenges faced by young girls in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Soludo emphasized that the initiative is not just a charitable gesture but a crucial intervention that speaks to the rights and dignity of the girl child. She stated that many female students face academic setbacks and emotional stress due to lack of access to sanitary products, which often leads to missed school days during their menstrual cycle.
“This program is designed to support young girls who are forced to stay away from school during their periods due to menstrual emergencies. Menstrual health should never be a barrier to education,” she said.
Dr. Soludo cited data indicating that over 37 million women and girls across Nigeria rely on makeshift, unhygienic alternatives such as rags, newspapers, or tissue paper due to the high cost and inaccessibility of proper menstrual hygiene products. These unsafe options not only compromise their health but also diminish their self-esteem and confidence.
She pointed out that beyond the lack of access to sanitary pads, the absence of menstrual health education and inadequate disposal facilities in most schools further exacerbates the issue. According to her, many students are left to navigate menstruation in secrecy and shame due to deep-rooted stigma and misinformation.
“Menstrual health is not a luxury. It is a basic human right. The fact that so many girls are missing out on education because of a natural biological process is unacceptable,” Dr. Soludo declared. She called on teachers, parents, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies to join hands in raising awareness and creating safe, inclusive environments for discussing menstrual hygiene.
She encouraged the students to make use of the supplies without embarrassment, stressing that menstruation is normal and nothing to be ashamed of. Dr. Soludo assured them that her NGO is committed to continuously restocking the pad banks, ensuring that no student is left behind due to lack of menstrual products.
“Let no girl miss school because of her period,” she added, drawing applause from students and school officials in attendance.
World Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed every year on May 28 to highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management, challenge harmful taboos, and promote policies that ensure equitable access to menstrual products and education.
In Anambra State, the event was marked not just with words, but with tangible action, an example of how visionary leadership at the grassroots level can make a lasting impact on the lives of young girls. Dr. Soludo’s initiative sets a precedent for other states to follow in ensuring that no girl’s education is compromised due to her biological cycle.
With this intervention, Anambra takes a bold step toward empowering girls, breaking the silence around menstruation, and fostering a healthier, more inclusive future for young women.
