By Our Correspondent
A campaign promoting mental and menstrual health awareness has sparked hope among women and girls in the Karmo community of the Federal Capital Territory.
Led by PAD-UP Africa and Shield Girls2Women Initiative, in collaboration with the community chief, the initiative is tackling deep-seated issues that affect women’s well-being.
At the heart of the campaign is a call for free sanitary pads and economic empowerment, with experts linking financial instability to mental health struggles.
Speaking at the event, held to mark International Women’s Day 2025, Project Director of Shield Girls2Women Initiative, Florence Ibrahim, emphasized that poor mental health can disrupt menstrual cycles, making emotional resilience a necessity for women.
“This is more than a one-time outreach. We are equipping women with coping strategies and fostering intergenerational conversations where older women guide younger ones through life’s challenges,” Ibrahim stated.
Founder of PAD-UP Africa, Ashley Lori, shed light on the connection between financial dependence and domestic abuse, stressing that many women remain trapped in unhealthy situations due to economic hardship.
She reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowerment, inclusivity, and skill development, ensuring that women take charge of their futures.
Jiwa Chiefdom’s Village Head, Umar Sarki Gani, praised the initiative’s impact, urging the government to improve hygiene infrastructure and deploy health experts to educate rural communities.
For many beneficiaries, the event was life-changing. One participant expressed gratitude, saying, “The knowledge and sanitary pads given today mean so much. I feel seen and supported.”
With plans to extend the outreach to other areas, the movement is gaining momentum, proving that when women are empowered, entire communities thrive.
