The Jigawa State chapter of Maden Healthcare Foundation has stepped up efforts to address period poverty and improve menstrual health awareness through a community outreach programme held in Hammayayi Community as part of activities marking the 2026 World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The outreach, conducted on May 16, focused on educating women and girls on proper menstrual hygiene practices while addressing challenges linked to inadequate access to menstrual health resources in underserved communities.
During the programme, the foundation distributed 300 hygiene kits containing sanitary pads, soap and detergent to women and girls in the community. Participants also took part in awareness sessions on menstrual hygiene management and healthy personal hygiene practices.
The outreach attracted strong community participation, with women and adolescent girls actively engaging in discussions on reproductive health and menstrual care.
Speaking during the event, the Jigawa State Coordinator of the foundation, Rasheeda Musa Muhammed, highlighted the urgent need for sustained menstrual health interventions, particularly in rural communities where access to sanitary products and reproductive health education remains limited.
Organisers disclosed that many participants lamented the high cost and poor availability of sanitary pads, forcing several girls and women to depend on unsafe alternatives such as old fabrics, tissue paper and pieces of cloth during menstruation.
The programme also exposed the continued stigma and silence surrounding menstruation in many communities. Despite this, participants reportedly showed eagerness to learn and adopt safer menstrual hygiene practices when provided with accurate information and support.
According to organisers, the intervention further revealed the need for structured follow-up initiatives, including school health clubs, menstrual hygiene education programmes and community pad banks to provide sustainable support for girls and women.
The foundation commended partner organisations that contributed to the success of the outreach, including Prodevelopment Community Foundation, Jigawa Women Entrepreneurs Network, Green and Ecological Lifeline Initiative, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria and Rising Hope Foundation.
Maden Healthcare Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting menstrual health awareness, protecting the dignity of women and girls, and implementing sustainable interventions aimed at ending period poverty across Nigeria.
Reviewed by NewBuzz
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May 26, 2026
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