Breaking Barriers: My Journey in Tackling Menstrual Poverty in Potiskum, Yobe State

Menstrual hygiene is not just about health and sanitation—it is a matter of dignity, education, and equity. My journey to fight menstrual poverty began in Potiskum, Yobe State, where I witnessed firsthand how something as natural as menstruation continues to shape and sometimes limit the futures of countless girls.

In schools across Potiskum, bright and ambitious girls are still fighting invisible battles every month. Menstruation, a natural biological process, remains surrounded by harmful myths, silence, and stigma. Many girls miss classes or drop out entirely because they cannot afford sanitary pads or because of the shame associated with menstruation. As someone passionate about girls’ empowerment, I could not stand by while a basic need continued to rob young girls of their confidence and educational opportunities.

Over the past few years, I have worked with local schools, community leaders, and young girls themselves to break down these barriers. Through my NGO and in partnership with other advocates, we have distributed thousands of sanitary pads to schoolgirls and led educational sessions that demystify menstruation and promote body positivity. But even with these efforts, the challenges remain daunting.

One of the most disheartening realities we face is the economic hardship that prevents many parents from consistently providing sanitary products to their daughters. As inflation continues to rise, sanitary pads have become unaffordable luxuries for many families. In some communities, parents must choose between food and hygiene supplies. In these cases, menstrual products are usually sacrificed. Girls are left to improvise with unsafe alternatives—rags, tissue paper, or even leaves. These methods are not only ineffective but also pose serious health risks.

Beyond economic constraints, we also battle long-standing cultural myths and social stigma. Many girls grow up believing that menstruation is dirty or shameful. In some homes, girls are forbidden from cooking or interacting with family members while menstruating. Some are told not to speak of it at all. This silence breeds ignorance, fear, and isolation. It prevents girls from seeking help when they have menstrual complications or when they simply need reassurance and guidance. I've spoken to girls who didn’t even understand what was happening to them when they first got their period—because no one had prepared them. Others shared that they felt cursed or punished.

In the course of my work, I’ve met many brave girls who want to learn, who want to stay in school and grow into confident, empowered women. I’ve also met dedicated teachers and parents who want to support their girls but lack the tools, knowledge, or means to do so. This gives me hope—and a deep sense of urgency.

To build on the work already done and amplify our impact, I am excited to share that I am partnering with five other grassroots organizations to host a Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025 event in Potiskum. This event is not just a celebration of menstrual health—it’s a bold call to action.

Our goal is to bring together students, parents, teachers, health professionals, and local leaders in an open and safe space to talk about menstruation without shame or secrecy. We plan to host interactive sessions on menstrual health education, dispel common myths, and train teachers on how to support menstruating students. We will also distribute free sanitary pads and hygiene kits to at least 100girls, ensuring that cost will not be a barrier for them—at least temporarily.

But beyond the one-day event, we’re focused on sustainable change. We’re exploring partnerships with local entrepreneurs to produce reusable cloth pads and train girls on how to use and care for them. We also want to empower mothers and female caregivers with the right information so they can become safe spaces for their daughters. Creating pad banks in schools is also part of our agenda, to give girls peer support networks and ongoing mentorship.

Importantly, we will involve boys and men in our programming. We believe that boys must be part of the conversation to truly end menstrual stigma. They need to understand that menstruation is normal, not something to mock or marginalize. When boys are educated, they become allies instead of bullies and shamers.That shift can make school a much safer space for girls.

Planning this event has not been without challenges. Securing funding, coordinating logistics, and gaining community trust are all ongoing tasks. But with the dedication of my team and our partner organizations, we are determined to make this event a turning point in our community. We’ve received encouraging words from teachers and local officials who see the need for this initiative. Most importantly, we’ve heard from the girls themselves—who are eager, curious, and ready for a world that embraces their full humanity, period and all.

Looking ahead, I know too well that one event cannot solve menstrual poverty or end the stigma entirely. But it is a powerful step. It is a statement that we will not be silent. This will foster more solid steps to building lasting solutions to this life long problem. This changing the narrative. That we see our girls, we hear them, and we will stand with them. Menstruation should never be a reason a girl is ashamed, held back, or made to suffer in silence.

As we prepare for Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, I invite all who believe in equality, health, and education to join us—whether through partnerships, donations, or simply by helping us spread awareness. Together, we can create a future where every girl in Potiskum—and across Nigeria—has the freedom to manage her period with dignity.

Let’s rewrite the story of menstruation in our communities. Let’s replace silence with conversation, myths with facts, and shame with pride. Our girls deserve nothing less.