Baobab Tackles Period Poverty, Supports 500 Schoolgirls

Baobab Microfinance Bank has launched its Menstrual Hygiene Awareness Project in Ilorin, Kwara State, distributing 500 reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls. This initiative directly tackles period poverty, aiming to ensure that no girl's education is disrupted due to a lack of menstrual hygiene products.

Joy Micheal-Oti, Chief Business Development Officer of Baobab Microfinance Bank Nigeria, emphasized the bank's commitment, stating, “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.” She added that the Ilorin project is the first phase of a broader plan to address period poverty across Nigeria, with aspirations to scale the initiative to multiple states.

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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.

Barisi Samuels, Social Performance Manager at Baobab Microfinance Bank Nigeria, reflected on the project's impact. "Executing this project reinforced why this work matters so deeply," she said. "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." The bank collaborated with Sisters of Jannah and Sana Pads for this outreach, viewing it as a crucial part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to promote inclusive development and enhance the quality of life for underserved populations.

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Executing this project reinforced why this work matters so deeply. 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.