In celebration of the 2025 World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the Foundation for Integrated Care (FIC), in partnership with Orchid Developmental Foundation, organized a comprehensive training session for nursing students of the College of Nursing Sciences, Muslim Medical Foundation, Saki. The training, which brought together over 150 participants, focused on menstrual hygiene education and the production of reusable sanitary pads.
The initiative, led by the FIC team, was designed to promote menstrual health awareness and empower young healthcare professionals to become advocates for change in their respective communities. In line with this year’s global theme, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” the programme aimed to break menstrual stigma, promote dignity, and instill confidence in young women through knowledge and hands-on experience.
Participants were engaged in practical sessions on how to produce cost-effective, reusable menstrual pads using locally available materials. These eco-friendly alternatives not only serve as sustainable solutions to menstrual product shortages but also provide a more affordable option for many women and girls in underserved areas. In addition to pad production, the training covered essential menstrual hygiene practices, including proper sanitation, safe disposal of menstrual products, and the importance of regular education to dispel harmful myths surrounding menstruation
The sessions also included interactive discussions, where students shared personal experiences and explored how cultural taboos and misinformation around menstruation continue to affect girls’ education, self-esteem, and access to proper healthcare. The facilitators emphasized the importance of involving men and boys in the conversation to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for all.
During our engagement with the FIC’s founder virtually, Kamaldeen Afolabi—a passionate health advocate and native of Saki, he expressed his vision for improved Youth and Adolescent Health (YAH) through series of programs organized by the FIC under the YAH project. He further emphasized the need for an increase in menstrual health engagements by the young people, especially those in the medical and health education sectors. “We believe that change starts with knowledge,” he said. “By equipping these nursing students with accurate information and practical skills on menstural health, we are not only equipping them for their use only but also preparing them to lead and champion the journey of equipping their peers and advocating for community change toward young people’s health.”
The training marks a significant step in FIC’s ongoing efforts to promote menstrual equity and ensure that every girl and woman has the right to manage her period safely and with dignity. With this initiative, the Foundation for Integrated Care and its partners are fostering a new generation of informed, empowered individuals ready to dismantle menstrual stigma and advocate for period-friendly environments across Nigeria.
As the world moves toward a future where menstruation is no longer a source of shame or limitation, the impact of grassroots initiatives like this in places such as Saki becomes even more vital. The hope is that these young nurses will carry the message forward, creating a ripple effect of change in schools, clinics, and communities across the country.
, in partnership with Orchid Developmental Foundation, organized a comprehensive training session for nursing students of the College of Nursing Sciences, Muslim Medical Foundation, Saki.){kind=link}