By Joke Kujenya
COMPASSION TOOK centre stage at Ortese IDP Camp in Guma, Benue State, where the “Access PAD Me A Girl Initiative” launched a targeted outreach to tackle period poverty.
The initiative, backed by Access Bank and other partners, distributed reusable sanitary pads, food items, and educational supplies to women and children in the camp.
For displaced girls and women, managing menstrual hygiene has long posed a challenge marked by scarcity, stigma, and health risks. Makeshift solutions—like rags or tissues—often compromise dignity and lead to infections.
The campaign, spearheaded by GATMASH Media in collaboration with corporate sponsors, offered a practical lifeline to many.
Convener of the initiative, Theresa Moses, said the visit was not just about donations but delivering sustainable change. “We came all the way from Lagos to Benue not just to donate, but to educate,” she said.
“These reusable sanitary pads can last up to a year, helping the girls maintain hygiene and save money.”
Moses drew attention to a double standard in public health campaigns: while male contraceptives like condoms receive widespread promotion, menstrual hygiene for women remains underemphasised.
“We believe that every girl deserves to manage her menstruation with dignity and confidence,” she said, adding that the initiative also focused on awareness and training to ensure proper usage of the sanitary products.
The Ortese camp event, held on Saturday 5 April 2025, also saw the launch of a Pad Bank—a local stockpile intended to sustain the supply of hygiene products over time.
The team pledged ongoing support for the camp and outlined plans to extend outreach to other IDP locations across the region.
Beyond menstrual health, the team distributed exercise books and pens to school-aged children, reinforcing the initiative’s dual mission of education and empowerment.
Food items were also handed out to support general well-being, underscoring the programme’s holistic approach to humanitarian relief.
The intervention was warmly received by the camp residents, who greeted the team with songs and heartfelt welcomes.
Camp Manager Elizabeth Asan expressed gratitude on behalf of the community, noting the practical impact the initiative would have on the daily lives of women and children.
This latest outreach follows earlier engagements by the same team at Area 1 IDP Camp, Durumi in Abuja, marking a growing commitment to vulnerable populations often overlooked in national discourse.
Team members on the ground included Mrs. Salome Alomah, Mr. Iliya J. Galadima, Engr. Michael Hosea, Dr. Michael Morah, Angela, and Terfa Tsetim, all working in unison to bring dignity and relief to the camp’s residents.
