Pad A Girl Campaign: Nigerian Nurse Takes The Bull By The Horns

Eze Chioma Joy is a graduate nurse passionate about improving optimal healthcare among individuals and communities in Africa. She has impacted lives and has significantly contributed to health promotion through her brainchild- Optimal Health African Initiative (OHAI). As part of her contribution to health promotion, she organised the ‘Pad a Girl Campaign’. The collosus of an event attracted the interest of a prestigious NGO- the Institute of Nursing Research Nigeria, which eventually collaborated with OHAI to execute the project. The project, which was held to mark the year 2022 Menstrual Hygiene Day, took place on 26th May 2022, 1,800 adolescent girls from two secondary schools in Umuahia, namely, Holy Rosary Secondary School Umuahia and Amuzukwu Girls High school, both in Umuahia North L.G.A Abia State, were sensitised on menstruation and menstrual hygiene. Myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation were debunked, and disposable pads were distributed. It was an impactful outing as teachers, students, and parents later called in to thank the organisers of the program. One of the participants had this to say: “My mother had struggled to buy me a pad since January. I had to use other things during my menses. Thank you for gifting me this pad.” Our appreciation goes to the leadership of the Institute of Nursing Research Nigeria and everyone who contributed to the success of this event.