Glo Foundation Marks International Day of the Girl Child with Focus on Menstrual and Mental Health

Glo Foundation Marks International Day of the Girl Child with Focus on Menstrual and Mental Health

Lagos, Nigeria – October 10, 2025

As part of activities marking this year’s International Day of the Girl Child (IDGC), Glo Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of telecommunications giant Globacom, has embarked on a nationwide awareness campaign to educate young girls on menstrual and mental health.

Themed “The GIRL I Am, The Changes I Lead: Girls on the Frontline of Crisis,” this year’s observance saw Glo Foundation engage secondary school girls across six Nigerian cities — Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin, Owerri, and Kaduna — to promote self-confidence, hygiene, and emotional well-being.

In partnership with Health Aid for All Initiative (HAFAI), a non-governmental organization, the Foundation reached over 600 students, educating at least 100 girls in each participating school. The initiative also included the distribution of menstrual care kits to help girls manage their periods safely and confidently.

Participating schools included Methodist Government Junior High School, Agege (Lagos); Community Secondary School, Port Harcourt; LGEA Upper Basic School Kudansa, Maraban Rido (Kaduna); Oba Ewuare Grammar School, Oko Central (Benin City); Orogwe Secondary School (Owerri); and Junior Secondary School, Dutse Sagwari (Abuja).

According to a statement from the Foundation, “Menstrual periods should never be a reason for a girl to lose confidence, miss school, or feel held back. That’s why we launched this initiative — to ensure girls have the resources, knowledge, and reassurance they need to grow with dignity and confidence.”

At the Lagos session, Dr. Ugorchi Ohajuruka, a public health specialist, and Mrs. Lara Rowland led interactive discussions on menstrual hygiene, mental health, and gender-based violence. The students were encouraged to ask questions and share their experiences to foster open dialogue about their well-being.

The school’s principal, Mr. Olawale Adebakin, commended Glo Foundation for prioritizing the welfare of young girls, noting that “taking care of the girl child is essential for national development. Protecting and empowering them ensures they can contribute meaningfully to the country’s growth.”

Similar sessions were held concurrently in Abuja, Kaduna, Benin, Owerri, and Port Harcourt, where students received guidance, support, and hygiene kits — reaffirming Glo Foundation’s commitment to the health, confidence, and empowerment of the Nigerian girl child.