Street Aid Africa Foundation Tackles Period Poverty Through Menstrual Hygiene Outreach in Lagos

Street Aid Africa Foundation (SAAF) has continued its fight against period poverty in Nigeria by equipping young girls with essential menstrual health knowledge, hygiene supplies, and the confidence to manage their health with dignity.

As part of its ongoing commitment to advancing quality education, health awareness, and the well-being of vulnerable children, the foundation recently organized a Personal Hygiene and Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Outreach for female students of Lanre Awolokun High School, Gbagada, Lagos State.

The one-hour educational outreach brought together 80 female students and members of the school’s teaching staff for an interactive session focused on personal hygiene, menstrual health management, self-confidence, and personal development.

Founded by Nancy Ogbue, Street Aid Africa Foundation has consistently championed initiatives that improve educational outcomes and create opportunities for vulnerable children through advocacy, scholarships, mentorship, and community-based interventions. The outreach forms part of the foundation’s broader mission to ensure that every girl has access not only to quality education but also to the knowledge and resources needed to make informed decisions about her health and future.

Equipping Young Girls with Essential Health Knowledge

The outreach began with an introduction to Street Aid Africa Foundation and its mission of supporting underserved children through education, empowerment, and community development.

Participants engaged in an interactive session on personal hygiene, where they learned practical habits that promote healthy living. Topics covered included proper handwashing, regular bathing, tooth brushing, and maintaining clean clothing, hair, and nails.

The session then shifted to menstrual hygiene education, addressing subjects that are often overlooked among adolescent girls. Facilitators explained menstruation as a natural part of growing up and provided practical guidance on maintaining hygiene during menstrual periods, changing sanitary pads regularly, and disposing of used sanitary products safely and responsibly.

To reinforce the lessons, students took part in a practical demonstration on the correct disposal of sanitary pads, helping them understand both personal hygiene and environmental responsibility.

Building Confidence Beyond Menstrual Health

One of the highlights of the outreach was the presentation of the Siisii Red Period Song, an engaging educational initiative designed to make menstrual hygiene messages easier for young girls to understand and remember.

The students actively participated throughout the program by asking questions, sharing personal experiences, and demonstrating a strong understanding of the topics discussed.

Beyond menstrual health, many participants raised questions about self-esteem, personal growth, decision-making, and future aspirations, highlighting the growing need for mentorship and safe spaces where young girls can seek guidance, build confidence, and openly discuss issues affecting their lives.

Providing Hygiene Support

To complement the educational sessions, Street Aid Africa Foundation distributed 90 hygiene packages containing essential personal hygiene and menstrual care items. The packages were provided to encourage healthy hygiene practices and help reduce barriers faced by girls during menstruation.

The success of the outreach underscores the importance of sustained investment in menstrual hygiene education, adolescent health awareness, and girl-child empowerment across Nigeria.

Under the leadership of its founder, Nancy Ogbue, Street Aid Africa Foundation remains committed to improving the lives of children and young people through education, mentorship, health awareness, and community support initiatives, ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive with confidence.