Flagship Launch – Adadia Secondary School Pilot Campaign (July 2024)
Period Poverty: A Global Challenge, A Local Solution
Authored by Lucia U. Birchfield
Empowering Girls. Ending Stigma. Creating Dignity.
Overview
Period poverty—defined as inadequate access to menstrual products, education, and sanitation facilities—remains a widespread public health and social equity challenge affecting millions of girls and women globally. Beyond its immediate health implications, this issue significantly disrupts educational attainment and economic participation, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. At a global scale, period poverty reinforces gender disparities and stigma, making it an urgent priority for intervention and policy reform (UN Women, 2025; World Health Organization [WHO], 2018). Addressing this challenge aligns with international development goals, particularly Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 5: Gender Equality, underscoring its relevance to global health and human rights agendas.
Global Effects of Period Poverty
- Health Implications: Without proper menstrual products, many girls and women resort to using unsafe materials, leading to infections and other health complications (UN Women, 2025).
- Educational Barriers: Girls often miss school during their menstrual periods due to the lack of sanitary products and inadequate facilities, resulting in significant educational setbacks (Nigeria Ministry of Women Affairs, 2025).
- Economic Impact: The inability to manage menstruation effectively can limit women's participation in the workforce, affecting their economic independence and contributing to broader economic disparities (UN Women, 2025).
- Social Stigma: Menstruation is often shrouded in stigma and taboo, leading to shame and isolation for many girls and women, particularly in rural and underserved communities (UN Women, 2025).
The Need for Interventions
Addressing period poverty requires a multifaceted approach that includes providing menstrual products, improving sanitation facilities, and delivering comprehensive menstrual education. Interventions must also dismantle stigma and advocate for menstrual health as a fundamental human right (WHO, 2018).
Flagship Launch: Adadia Secondary School- Uruan Pilot (July 2024)
- Bridging-Health International, through its affiliate Ascending Health Foundation (AHF) in Nigeria, launched its first-ever pilot campaign to combat period poverty in rural public schools. The Adadia Secondary Schoolpilot Period Poverty Reduction Campaign (PPRC) in Uruan LGA, Akwa Ibom State, marked the beginning of this transformative initiative.
Note: As this was the initial launch, no baseline data was available at the time. The primary focus was on awareness creation, education, and community engagement to set the foundation for future evidence-based interventions.
Pilot Campaign Highlights
- Educational Outreach: A lecture on menstrual hygiene was delivered by a medical professional from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, emphasizing the need to demystify menstruation and eliminate stigma. Boys were encouraged to support girls and avoid mockery during menstruation (AHF PPRC Launch Notes, 2024).
- Inclusive Health Education: The boys were part of the lecture ensuringthat they felt included and valued in the health education process (AHF PPRC Launch Notes, 2024).
- Distribution of Freebies: Girls received sanitary pads, while boys were given toothbrushes and toothpaste thus promoting overall health and hygiene (AHF PPRC Launch Notes, 2024).
- Advocacy and Leadership: School champions were identified to continue advocacy and campaign efforts within their schools and communities, supported by AHF leadership and volunteers (AHF PPRC Launch Notes, 2024).
Alignment with WHO Guidance
The World Health Organization emphasizes that menstrual health should be framed as a health and human rights issue, not merely a hygiene issue (WHO, 2018). This pilot aligns with WHO’s call, aiming to create a sustainable and supportive environment for girls and women in rural Nigeria.
Gratitude and Future Steps
The success of this pilot campaign reflects the unwavering commitment of the Ascending Health Foundation (AHF) team and the collaborative support of key stakeholders. The initiative was made possible through formal approval granted by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, facilitated under the leadership of Bridging-Health International/AHF Chief Clinical Director, Dr. Paulinius Essien, who also serves as the Director of Pediatrics at the Federal University Teaching Hospital. Additional authorization from the State Ministry of Education enabled the team to access and engage schools across the state. This milestone was further strengthened by the cooperation of local health authorities and community stakeholders.
Following this launch, AHF pledged to expand outreach to other rural public schools in Akwa Ibom State, ensuring that no girl is left behind due to period poverty. This foundational effort established the framework for future evidence-based interventions and academic research, setting the stage for sustainable impact.