ADDA Education Foundation Empowers Gombe Girls With Menstrual Hygiene Knowledge, Tools

By Najib Sani, Gombe

The ADDA Girl Education Foundation has marked Menstrual Hygiene Day by distributing essential educational materials to adolescent girls at Government Girls Science Secondary School (GGSSS) Kumo in Akko local government, Gombe State.

The initiative aimed to equip the girls with knowledge and tools to manage their menstrual health effectively.

Led by its Programme Manager, Samira Galadima, the ADDA Girl Education Foundation team engaged members of its ‘Let’s Talk Club’, a safe space initiative that provides a platform for girls to discuss and learn about menstrual hygiene and other life skills.

They shared materials including Period Diaries, developed by She’s The First, which enable girls to track their menstrual cycles and maintain hygiene. The diaries also introduce girls to The Global #GirlsBillofRights, outlining fundamental rights such as access to quality education and equality.

The programme manager said the girls also received What Would You Do? card decks, an interactive tool that helps them navigate real-life scenarios, build healthy relationships, and foster decision-making, communication, and self-confidence.

“According to UNESCO, one in 10 girls in Sub-Saharan Africa misses school while on their period, highlighting the need for proper menstrual hygiene management.

“The ADDA Girl Education Foundation’s initiative is part of its broader commitment to girl-centered education and protection. By providing girls with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their menstrual health, the foundation aims to empower them to break the cycle of poverty and build a brighter future”, she said.

Responding, the girls expressed excitement and appreciation for the resources, with many pledging to apply what they learned to their daily lives.

Also, the principal of the school, Sa’adatu Joda, lauded the foundation’s initiative saying it would improve menstrual hygiene and encourage the girls to talk about their reproductive health, thereby improving their wellbeing.