Access Bank, PAD Me A Girl Initiative, Gatmash Media Unite to Tackle Period Poverty in Nigeria

…Launches ‘Pad Bank’ to Provide Free Sanitary Pads to Women and Girls in Need

Lagos, Nigeria – In a bold move to combat period poverty and promote menstrual hygiene, Access Bank Plc has partnered with the PAD Me A Girl Initiative, a project of GATMASH Media, to launch a 'Pad Bank'—a pioneering effort to provide free sanitary pads to underprivileged girls and women across Nigeria.

The initiative, spearheaded by Theresa Moses, a renowned journalist and Editor-in-Chief of GATMASH NEWS, is designed to address the growing sanitary pad deficit among vulnerable communities, including Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.

A Multi-Partner Effort to End Period Poverty

The Access PAD Me A Girl Initiative is collaborating with multiple organizations, including:

Checkers Custard
Empowered Girls for Christ Foundation
Jeffrey Kuraun Foundation
ProStar
Vita Baites Foods, and more.

Together, they aim to collect and distribute over 1 million sanitary pads annually, ensuring that no girl or woman misses school or work due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products.

According to Theresa Moses, convener of the initiative, the Pad Bank is a game-changer in addressing menstrual health challenges.

“We are excited to partner with Access Bank to launch the Pad Bank. This initiative will provide a safe and accessible space for girls and women to access sanitary pads, promoting dignity and empowering them to reach their full potential.”

Aligning with Global Development Goals

The project aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically:

SDG 4 – Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education by preventing school absenteeism due to period poverty.
SDG 5 – Achieving gender equality by empowering women and girls with the resources and knowledge they need for menstrual health management.

Beyond sanitary pad distribution, the initiative will also provide educational materials, such as exercise books and pens, to support literacy and school retention for young girls.

Official Launch and Target Locations

The Access PAD Me A Girl Project is set to kick off with two major events:

April 3rd, 2025 – Gofye Community, Kuje Area Council, New Kunchingoro, Opposite Games Village, Kaura, FCT Abuja.
April 5th, 2025 – Ortese IDP Camp, Guma LGA, Benue State.

With Access Bank’s strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, this initiative stands as a monumental step in ensuring that every girl and woman in Nigeria has access to menstrual hygiene products, education, and dignity.

Access Bank, PAD Me A Girl Initiative, Gatmash Media Unite to Tackle Period Poverty in Nigeria