Baobab MFB launches hygiene project in Kwara

Baobab Microfinance Bank has completed the first phase of its Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Project in Ilorin, Kwara State, distributing 500 reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls. This initiative marks a significant step in the bank's commitment to community-driven social impact, addressing the critical issue of period poverty among adolescent girls in Nigeria.

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At Baobab Microfinance Bank, we believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to learn without interruption. Menstrual health is not a privilege; it is a basic right. This intervention in Ilorin marks the beginning of a broader commitment to addressing period poverty across Nigeria. We are determined to scale this initiative to multiple states and ensure that no girl’s education is disrupted because of a lack of access to menstrual products.

The project was executed in collaboration with Sisters of Jannah, a local grassroots organization, and utilized reusable sanitary pads supplied by Sana Pads, a female-owned enterprise. Period poverty, defined by the lack of access to menstrual products, is a major driver of school absenteeism, undermines academic confidence, and contributes to dropout rates among girls in low-income communities.

Joy Micheal-Oti, Baobab Microfinance Bank's Chief Business Development Officer, stated that the project aligns with a broader national vision. "Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn without interruption. Menstrual health is not a privilege; it is a basic right," she said. The bank intends to scale this initiative to multiple states, ensuring that girls' education is not disrupted due to a lack of menstrual products.

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Beyond the distribution of sanitary pads, we delivered something even more important: dignity, confidence, and reassurance to these girls that they are seen, valued, and supported. I am proud of what we achieved alongside Sisters of Jannah, Sana Pads and enthusiastic about the future of this initiative.

Barisi Samuels, the bank's Social Performance Manager, reflected on the project's impact, noting that it provided dignity, confidence, and reassurance to the girls. Mistura Afolabi of Sisters of Jannah highlighted the importance of the partnership, emphasizing that their community knowledge ensured the support reached the girls most in need. The collaboration aims to create meaningful and lasting change by addressing period poverty directly.

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Our work within this community has shown us the daily realities many girls face due to a lack of access to menstrual hygiene products. We are proud to have partnered with Baobab Microfinance Bank on this important intervention. Through this collaboration, we ensured that support reached the girls who needed it most. This is how meaningful and lasting change begins.