Gatmash Media, Access Bank Launch ‘PAD Bank’ to Combat Menstrual Poverty

Gatmash Media, Access Bank Launch ‘PAD Bank’ to Combat Menstrual Poverty

In a groundbreaking initiative to tackle menstrual poverty, Access Bank Plc has partnered with Gatmash Media’s "PAD Me A Girl Initiative" to launch a ‘Pad Bank’ at the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp in Area 1, Durumi, Abuja. The launch, which took place on April 3, 2025, aims to provide free sanitary pads to young girls and women, ensuring access to menstrual hygiene products despite financial constraints.

Speaking at the event, Theresa Moses, Convener of "PAD Me A Girl Initiative," emphasized the urgent need for menstrual hygiene awareness. She noted that 37% of menstruating girls and women in Nigeria lack access to sanitary pads due to financial hardship, which affects their well-being and dignity.

“The ‘PAD Bank’ will provide reusable sanitary pads, reducing waste while ensuring sustainability. This initiative is not just about distributing pads but also about breaking the silence surrounding menstruation, dispelling myths, and promoting menstrual hygiene education,” she stated.

The event featured an informative session by Mrs. Blessing Jonah Amos, a parenting coach, who educated attendees on the use of reusable sanitary pads, menstrual hygiene, and healthy lifestyle practices. Additionally, CSP Ola Rotimi Ebidero, Divisional Police Officer of Area 1, provided vital security tips for women and young girls, encouraging them to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement.

The Access ‘PAD Me A Girl Initiative’ has partnered with various organizations to support this cause, including Checkers Custard, which provided its products, Vita Baites Foods, makers of crunchy ‘kuli-kuli,’ Jeffrey Kuraun Foundation, ProStar, and others. Other essential supplies, including exercise books, writing materials, cartons of instant noodles, and sachets of water, were also distributed during the event.

This initiative represents a significant step in addressing menstrual poverty, as the organizers plan to expand their outreach to more communities across Nigeria. By fostering partnerships and raising awareness, "PAD Me A Girl Initiative" seeks to create a society where menstrual hygiene is prioritized, ensuring that young girls and women can thrive without limitations.