mental and menstrual health Initiative Transforms Karmo Community, Abuja
A campaign promoting mental and menstrual health awareness is bringing hope to women and girls in the Karmo community of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
Spearheaded by PAD-UP Africa and Shield Girls2Women Initiative, in collaboration with the community chief, the initiative addresses critical issues affecting women’s well-being.
At the core of the campaign is a call for free sanitary pads and economic empowerment, with experts highlighting the link between financial instability and mental health struggles.
Speaking at the event, held in celebration of International Women’s Day 2025, Florence Ibrahim, Project Director of Shield Girls2Women Initiative, underscored the impact of mental health on menstrual cycles, emphasizing the need for emotional resilience among women.
This is more than a one-time outreach. We are equipping women with coping strategies and fostering intergenerational conversations where older women mentor younger ones through life’s challenges,” Ibrahim stated.
Ashley Lori, Founder of PAD-UP Africa, shed light on the correlation between financial dependence and domestic abuse, stressing that many women remain in unhealthy situations due to economic hardship. She reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to empowerment, inclusivity, and skill development, ensuring that women gain control over their futures.
Jiwa Chiefdom’s Village Head, Umar Sarki Gani, commended the initiative’s impact and urged the government to enhance hygiene infrastructure and deploy health experts to educate rural communities.
For many beneficiaries, the event was transformative. 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 empowering women strengthens entire communities.
