Nigerian Girls Learn to Make Reusable Pads for Free

Adolescent girls in Bauchi State, Nigeria, are gaining skills that could transform both their health and their futures.

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists partnered with the Bauchi State government and UNICEF to train girls in producing reusable sanitary pads. The program launched in Liman Katagum, a rural community where access to menstrual hygiene products remains limited.

Hajiya Rashida Yusuf, who leads the journalists' association in Bauchi, explained that the training goes beyond manufacturing. Girls learn about menstrual health, proper hygiene practices, and how to dispel common myths surrounding menstruation.

The hands-on approach means participants leave with practical skills they can use immediately. More importantly, they can share their knowledge with friends, sisters, and neighbors who might otherwise lack access to accurate information about reproductive health.

Mrs. Jummai Haruna, a health worker at the training, encouraged girls to discuss menstruation openly with their parents. She emphasized that understanding the signs, symptoms, and proper hygiene practices leads to safer, healthier menstrual periods.

The Ripple Effect

The program's impact extends far beyond personal hygiene. Girls who master pad production can turn their new skill into income, creating small businesses that serve their communities while supporting their families.

Community leader Alhaji Yakubu Abubakar noted that these income opportunities could help reduce poverty in rural areas. In regions where economic options remain scarce, especially for women and girls, such skills provide genuine pathways to financial independence.

The initiative also reaches communities that typically miss out on health education programs. By moving beyond local government headquarters into remote villages, organizers ensure rural girls receive the same opportunities as their urban counterparts.

Bauchi State has established adolescent-friendly corners focused on menstrual hygiene and broader reproductive health concerns. These spaces give young people safe environments to learn and ask questions without stigma.

Officials from the state's Primary Healthcare Development Board and Rural Water Supply Agency praised the program for promoting healthy lifestyles. They see it as a model for improving menstrual health outcomes across the region.

When girls understand their bodies and can afford proper menstrual care, they miss fewer school days and participate more fully in community life—a simple change that opens doors for entire generations.