Moniepoint Partners NGO to Tackle Menstrual Poverty, Promote Financial Literacy Among Girls

As conversations around menstrual health and gender inclusion gained momentum during the commemoration of World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, financial technology company Moniepoint and non-profit organisation Sanitary Aid for Nigerian Girls (S.A.N.G) have partnered to provide menstrual hygiene support and financial literacy education to secondary school girls in Lagos.

The initiative, held at New Era Girls Secondary School in Surulere, reached 500 students who received sanitary kits and participated in sessions on menstrual health, hygiene management, anatomy, and financial education.

The programme formed part of activities marking this year’s World Menstrual Hygiene Day, which was observed globally under the theme, “A Period-Friendly World.” Organisers said the outreach was designed to address challenges associated with menstrual poverty while equipping young girls with knowledge to make informed personal and financial decisions.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of growing concerns about the impact of poor menstrual health management on girls’ education and wellbeing. Global estimates indicate that about 500 million women and girls lack adequate access to menstrual products, sanitation facilities, and information needed to manage their periods safely and with dignity.

In Nigeria, recent studies have highlighted the consequences of these gaps. Research published in the journal International Health linked inadequate sanitation facilities, limited access to menstrual products, and poor menstrual health education to school absenteeism and psychological challenges among adolescent girls. Available survey data suggest that more than one in five Nigerian girls aged between 15 and 24 missed school due to menstruation within the last year.

Speaking at the event, Moniepoint’s Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Edidiong Uwemakpan, said the company’s involvement was informed by the connection between social inclusion and economic participation.

According to him, girls who are unable to attend school because of menstruation face educational setbacks that can affect their future opportunities and economic prospects. He noted that integrating menstrual health support with financial literacy education aligns with efforts to expand access to economic opportunities for young Nigerians.

For Sanitary Aid for Nigerian Girls, the collaboration represents an extension of its ongoing advocacy against menstrual poverty. The organisation’s founder, Karo Omu, said menstrual health challenges continue to affect women’s participation in education and economic activities, particularly in underserved communities.

Omu disclosed that the organisation has distributed more than 80,000 sanitary pads and reached over 53,000 girls across 23 states through its awareness and support programmes. 

She argued that menstrual poverty should be viewed not only as a public health issue but also as a barrier to economic empowerment.

Beyond discussions on menstrual health, volunteers also introduced the students to basic financial literacy concepts, encouraging them to develop savings habits and prepare for future economic independence

One of the volunteers, Sophia Ukoni, who leads Moniepoint’s Market Research Team, described the experience as an opportunity to engage directly with young girls and share practical knowledge that could benefit them beyond the classroom.

Stakeholders at the event stressed that improving access to menstrual products, education, and supportive environments remains critical to reducing barriers faced by girls in schools and communities. 

They argued that achieving a “period-friendly world” will require sustained collaboration among government institutions, private organisations, schools, and civil society groups to ensure that menstruation does not limit educational attainment or economic potential.