The Helen Alabi Youth Development Initiatives (HAYDI) has renewed calls for greater access to menstrual health education and affordable sanitary products, as period poverty continues to expose millions of girls to health risks and disrupt their education. The call was made during an outreach at Appollian Comprehensive High School in Ikorodu, where over 100 students and teachers received menstrual hygiene education, reusable sanitary pads, and period trackers.
Breaking the Stigma
The programme also involved male students as part of efforts to break the stigma surrounding menstruation and encourage greater understanding and support for girls during their menstrual periods. Participants engaged in interactive activities, including crossword puzzles on menstrual health terms, alongside sessions on self-awareness and self-discovery.
Impact on Education
Executive Director of HAYDI, Helen Alabi, said the intervention was aimed at helping girls manage their periods safely and confidently while reducing school absenteeism associated with a lack of access to menstrual products. According to her, menstrual health remains a major challenge globally, with more than 500 million people lacking adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene, while over one million girls miss school during their periods. She added that only 39 percent of schools worldwide provide menstrual health education.
Alabi noted that period poverty continues to affect millions of girls and women, forcing many to rely on alternatives such as tissue paper and cloth because of the rising cost of menstrual products. She explained that the outreach was designed to promote healthy menstrual hygiene practices, build confidence among girls, and provide sustainable alternatives that are safe, affordable, and environmentally friendly.
“The event was important to create male inclusion and break stigma from the opposite sex while girls are on their period, ensure the girls feel confident about their bodies and flow, help reduce absenteeism in school during menstruation, and provide a sustainable solution that is biodegradable, eco-friendly, and cost-effective,” she said.
Menstrual Health as a Development Issue
Alabi stressed that menstrual health should not be viewed solely as a health issue but also as an education and development issue. “When a girl misses school because she lacks access to menstrual products, society loses more than a school day. We lose potential, confidence, leadership, and opportunity,” she said. “Menstrual health is not merely a health issue. It is an education issue, a gender equality issue, and a development issue. By empowering girls with knowledge and sustainable menstrual products, we are helping them remain focused on their education and future aspirations.”
According to her, the organisation has reached more than 1,000 students and distributed over 300 reusable sanitary pads.
Principal's Remarks
In her remarks, the Principal of Appollian Comprehensive High School, Abosede Esther Idowu, said the programme addressed an important gap in adolescent health education. She noted that many young girls still face misconceptions and challenges related to menstruation. Idowu added that the knowledge shared during the session would help students adopt healthier menstrual hygiene practices, build confidence, and better understand changes associated with puberty. According to her, such interventions are crucial to the overall well-being and development of young girls.
