Menstrual Health Campaign

Campaign Against Menstrual Poverty Among School Girls (CAMPAS)

Every month, thousands of girls in Nigeria stay away from school because they cannot afford sanitary pads or do not know how to manage their periods with confidence. For many, menstruation means missed lessons, embarrassment and silence.

Temvert Empowerment Foundation is changing this story, one classroom at a time. Our Campaign Against Menstrual Poverty Among School Girls starts in Osun State and will extend to other states as we build evidence, partnerships and support.

Why menstrual health matters for education

When a girl cannot afford sanitary pads, the impact goes far beyond one school day. Missing two or three days of class every month adds up to weeks of lost learning in a year. Some girls fall behind, lose confidence and are more likely to give up on school altogether.

Shame and stigma around menstruation make it even harder for them to ask for help. Menstrual health is not only about hygiene. It is about:

    • Equal access to education for girls.

    • Dignity and confidence for adolescent girls.

    • Safer schools and communities where children can speak openly about their needs.

By treating menstrual health as part of education and child wellbeing, we keep more children, especially girls in the classroom.

Key idea

Periods should never cost a girl her education

Our campaign focuses on the simple but powerful changes that allow girls to manage their periods with dignity and stay in school: access to pads, correct information, supportive adults and clear public policy.

What this campaign is about

1. Practical support

Pads and information in schools

We provide sanitary pads to school girls who need them and share simple menstrual health information that they can understand and trust. Sessions are held in a safe, respectful way, often together with teachers and school counsellors.

2. Honest conversations

Breaking shame and stigma

We create spaces where girls can ask questions and share their experiences without shame. Where possible, we also involve boys and teachers, so that everyone understands that menstruation is normal and should not be a source of bullying or stigma.

3. Policy change

From Osun to other states

While we support individual girls, we also engage decision makers. We are developing a policy recommendation for a free sanitary pad scheme for school girls, starting with Osun State, with the long term goal of seeing this model adapted and adopted by other states across Nigeria.

Starting point

Our work in Osun State

Osun State is the starting point for this campaign. In selected public schools, our team and volunteers visit classrooms, talk with girls and teachers and distribute sanitary pads. We listen carefully to what pupils, parents and teachers say about how periods affect attendance, school performance and wellbeing.

Step 1

Listening and learning

We hold small group conversations with girls, teachers and parents to understand real experiences of menstrual poverty and how it affects school life.

Step 2

Data and stories

We collect simple data on how many girls miss school during their periods and gather stories that show the human side behind the numbers.

Step 3

Policy foundation

This evidence is used to shape a clear, practical policy brief for a state backed free sanitary pad scheme that can be implemented and scaled.

We see Osun as a live example that can guide similar initiatives in other parts of the country.

 

Our policy commitment

Giving pads and education in schools is only one part of the solution. For change to last, there has to be a clear plan and budget from government.

Temvert Empowerment Foundation is committed to:

    • Constitute a high level committee for this CAMPAS project. ✅

    • Preparing a policy brief for Osun State decision makers on menstrual poverty and school attendance. ✅

    • Submit policy proposal to Osun State Government for creation of free pads scheme. ✅

    • Secure partnership with Osun State Government for a menstrual health themed conference. ✅

    • Engaging ministries, agencies, school leaders and community stakeholders on the case for a free sanitary pad scheme for school girls. (Ongoing)

    • Engaging local and international organizations whose interests align with our goal (Ongoing)

    • Distribute 10,000 pieces of pads to school girls as part of the campaign against menstrual poverty. (Announced)

    • Secure government adoption of the free pads scheme and sign MoU. (TBD)

    • Implementation. (TBD)

Our advocacy starts in Osun, but our vision is to see menstrual health recognised and funded as an essential part of keeping girls in school across Nigeria.

Media and recognition

Our work has been recognised and featured on respected platforms and media outlets, helping to bring local voices from classrooms in Nigeria into national and global conversations:

• United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum – Side event schedule: View schedule

• The Guardian Nigeria – ECOSOC event on women’s tech and economic advancement: Read article

• ThisDay – Temvert Foundation sensitises and distributes menstrual pads to Osun and Oyo schoolgirls: Read article

• Punch – Policy analyst seeks grassroots participation at IMF summit: Read article

• Punch – Foundation gets UN nod for event: Read article

• The Nation – NGO launches menstrual poverty campaign, plans 10,000 free pads: Read article

How you can support

If you would like to partner with us, support the campaign or learn more about our evidence from schools in Osun State, please get in touch with Temvert Empowerment Foundation.

CONTACT OUR TEAM

info@temvertfoundation.org | +2348144039260 | +447867380927

We welcome collaboration with schools, government, development partners, private sector and community groups who share our commitment to keeping girls in school. 

Past Engagements: