The Story That Changed My Perspective about menstruation!

Growing up, I had a cousin, Junior, whose resourcefulness always amazed me. She would carefully collect and use old pieces of cloth, a routine I didn’t question as a child. To me, it was just one of her quirks something too trivial to notice deeply.

Years later, the truth behind her habit surfaced, and it broke my heart. Junior confided that those pieces of cloth were her only means of managing her periods. Growing up in a household where menstrual products were unaffordable, she had no choice but to improvise. What I hadn’t known was the toll this had taken on her.

Female students

Junior missed school during her periods, afraid of stains or being shamed by her peers. The isolation she endured made her feel as though her body was a burden. For years, she bore this in silence, lacking the support, education, or products that could have given her dignity.

What inspired me most, however, was her resilience. Today, Junior is not only thriving but has become a passionate advocate for menstrual health in rural schools. Her story became my wake-up call to a much larger issue ending period poverty in Nigeria. I realized that her struggles weren’t unique but echoed in countless children across the country.

This realization drove me to action. I joined an initiative focused on Akwa Ibom rural communities aimed at tackling period poverty and advancing menstrual equity. Our work ensures that children, especially in rural areas, receive the education and menstrual products they need to stay in school and reclaim their dignity.

Call to Action

Today, I’ve been fortunate to revisit my alma mater and bring this change full circle. Imagine the impact we can create if you, too, bring this mission to your community. Together, we can rewrite these stories and empower young girls to chase their dreams without limitations.

Support our work and join the movement to end period poverty:

Learn more at www.bridging-healthintl.net.

Make a direct impact through our fundraiser: GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/867a4f79

Your contributions will help us distribute menstrual kits, conduct outreach, and advocate for menstrual health in rural schools. Let’s create a future where dignity and education are rights, not privileges. Together, we can be the change these children need.