Country of Residence
Nigeria
Age
18
Project title
Menstrual Health Awareness and sanitary pad Distribution Programme
Project Summary: Describe your project in one sentence
DIGNITY FOR HER Menstrual Health Awareness and Sanitary Pad Distribution Programme Dignity for Her is a community-based initiative founded by Hajara Abduharo Mashi, a member of the Katsina State Youth Parliament representing Mashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. The project aims to promote menstrual health education, improve access to menstrual hygiene products, and protect the dignity, confidence, and well-being of girls and women, particularly those in underserved areas.
Website URL(s) or social media handles.
https://www.instagram.com/the_girl_on_fire001?psln=YzNzbmZ1OW9rNGx5&utm_source=qr
Project Category
My project is a brand new / emerging idea
Project Stage
Pilot-Stage (We’ve tried an activity or two)
Founding Story: What was the spark that led you to start your project? What was the "Aha!" moment that led you to get started and see the potential for this to succeed?
The inspiration behind Dignity for Her came from my desire to create meaningful change in the lives of girls and women in underserved communities, particularly in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria. As a young leader and member of the Katsina State Youth Parliament, I believe leadership is not simply about holding a position; it is about identifying the challenges people face and taking practical steps toward addressing them. My defining moment came when I reflected on how something as natural as menstruation could become a source of difficulty for girls who lack access to sanitary pads and reliable menstrual health information. I realized that for some girls, the challenge extends beyond managing their periods; it can also affect their confidence, dignity, and ability to participate comfortably in everyday activities. This made me question why a natural biological process should become an additional burden for girls simply because of their circumstances. That realization became my aha! moment. I understood that even though I could not solve every challenge facing girls and women at once, I could start with one meaningful intervention: providing menstrual health education and sanitary pads to those who need them most. I wanted to create a platform where girls could receive accurate information, ask questions without shame, and feel supported.
The Problem: What problem are you helping to solve? Why does it matter to you and your community?
The problem I am working to address through my project, Dignity for Her, is the challenge of inadequate access to menstrual health education, affordable menstrual hygiene products, and supportive environments for girls and women, particularly those in underserved communities. In Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria, I want to contribute to a future where every girl can manage her menstruation safely, confidently, and with dignity, regardless of her economic circumstances or where she lives. Menstruation is a natural biological process, yet for many girls, managing their periods can become a difficult experience because of financial limitations, insufficient information, cultural stigma, and limited access to menstrual hygiene resources. These challenges are not simply about sanitary pads. They also concern health, education, confidence, equality, and the opportunity for girls to participate fully in society. Through Dignity for Her, I want to help address these interconnected challenges by combining menstrual health awareness with sanitary pad distribution and community engagement. Understanding the Problem One of the major challenges I want to address is the difficulty some girls face in accessing sanitary pads when they need them. For families experiencing financial h
Your Solution: How are you solving this problem? Share your specific solution.
Our Solution: Dignity for Her Menstrual Health Education, Access, and Empowerment My solution to the challenges of menstrual health and hygiene is Dignity for Her, a community-based initiative designed to improve access to sanitary pads, provide accurate menstrual health education, and promote dignity and confidence among girls and women, particularly those in underserved communities in Mashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. I believe the solution to menstrual health challenges goes beyond distributing sanitary pads. Although access to menstrual hygiene products is essential, girls also need reliable information, supportive environments, and opportunities to discuss their health without fear, shame, or discrimination. For this reason, Dignity for Her adopts an integrated approach that combines practical support, health education, and community engagement. 1. Menstrual Health Education and Awareness The first part of my solution is to organize menstrual health awareness sessions for girls and women. These sessions will provide accessible, age-appropriate information about menstruation, menstrual hygiene, the safe use of sanitary pads, and when to seek medical advice. With the support of qualified healthcare professionals, the programme will create opportunities for participants to ask questions, address misconceptions, and gain a better understanding of their bodies. Educational materials will be prepared in accessible language, including Hausa where appropriate, to ensure that language does not become a barrier to understanding. My goal is to replace misinformation and embarrassment with knowledge, confidence, and informed decision-making. 2. Sanitary Pad Distribution for Underserved Girls and Women
Impact: How has your project created impact / made a difference so far? Or, if at an early stage, what will impact look like?
Project Impact and Expected Outcomes: Dignity for Her Dignity for Her is currently in its early development stage, with a focus on preparing a community-based menstrual health awareness and sanitary pad distribution programme for girls and women in Mashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. Although the initiative is still developing, its purpose is clear: to address menstrual health challenges through education, access to hygiene products, and community engagement. The project was created from my desire to contribute to a community where every girl can manage her menstruation with dignity, confidence, and access to reliable information. I recognize that meaningful impact requires more than a good idea. It requires careful planning, community participation, collaboration, and a commitment to understanding the needs of the people the project intends to serve. At this stage, I do not want to claim results that have not yet been achieved. Instead, I am working toward building a strong foundation for an initiative that can deliver measurable and lasting benefits. 1. Improving Menstrual Health Knowledge One of the main impacts I expect Dignity for Her to create is improved menstrual health knowledge among girls and women. Through awareness sessions facilitated, where possible, by qualified healthcare professionals, participants will learn about menstruation.
Your Innovation: What is different about your project compared to other programs or solutions already out there? How is your project new or innovative?
What Makes Dignity for Her Different and Innovative? What makes Dignity for Her different is its commitment to addressing menstrual health challenges through more than the distribution of sanitary pads. The project combines menstrual health education, access to hygiene products, community engagement, and youth-led advocacy to address both the immediate needs of girls and women and the misconceptions and barriers that can make menstrual health difficult to discuss. Many existing interventions contribute to menstrual health by providing sanitary products or organizing awareness campaigns. These efforts are valuable, and my intention is not to replace them but to complement and strengthen such work through a community-centred approach that responds to the needs of girls and women in underserved communities, beginning in Mashi Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria. 1. Combining Education with Practical Support A central feature of Dignity for Her is its integrated approach. Providing sanitary pads can help address an immediate need, but access to products alone does not necessarily provide girls with the knowledge they need to manage menstruation confidently and safely. Similarly, education is important, but girls may still struggle if they cannot afford appropriate menstrual hygiene products. My approach brings these two essential components together. Through awareness sessions supported, where possible, by qualified healthcare professionals, participants will receive information about menstruation, menstrual hygiene, appropriate sanitary pad use, and when to seek medical advice. The programme will also distribute sanitary pads to beneficiaries who face financial barriers to accessing
How many people are on your team?
34
Your team: What role(s) do your team members play? How do you share leadership with them?
Team Roles and How We Share Leadership Dignity for Her is a youth-led initiative supported by a team of 34 members united by a shared commitment to promoting menstrual health awareness, improving access to sanitary pads, and protecting the dignity of girls and women, particularly in underserved communities in Mashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. As the founder and project leader, my responsibility is to communicate the project’s vision and coordinate its development.
What’s Next: What are the next steps you plan to take to grow or strengthen your project over the next year? If your project is still in the idea stage, describe the steps you will take over the next three months to launch or begin developing it.
What’s Next: Our Plans for the Coming Year Over the next year, my goal is to transform Dignity for Her from an emerging initiative into a well-organized, community-driven project that provides menstrual health education, improves access to sanitary pads, and promotes dignity and confidence among girls and women in underserved communities, beginning in Mashi Local Government Area, Katsina State, Nigeria. As the founder, I understand that achieving meaningful impact requires more than passion. It requires careful planning, effective teamwork, strategic partnerships, adequate resources, and a commitment to measuring progress. With a team of 34 members, I intend to strengthen our organizational structure, establish clear responsibilities, and build the partnerships necessary to turn our vision into practical action. 1. Strengthening Our Team and Organizational Structure Our first priority is to organize our 34-member team into functional groups with clear responsibilities. These may include project coordination, community mobilization, health education, communications, logistics, and monitoring and evaluation. I will encourage team members to contribute according to their skills and interests while promoting shared leadership, accountability, and collaboration. We also plan to establish regular team meetings, set achievable targets, and develop a clear implementation
How do you encourage other people to join your project or learn about the problem you’re working on? If you have a new idea, tell us how you will do this in the future.
I believe that meaningful change begins when people understand a problem, recognize why it matters, and feel empowered to become part of the solution. Through Dignity for Her, my goal is not only to improve access to menstrual hygiene products and education but also to encourage individuals and communities to recognize menstrual health as an important part of girls’ and women’s well-being. As the founder of this initiative and a member of the Katsina State Youth Parliament representing Mashi Local Government Area, I see community engagement as an essential part of my leadership responsibility. I want to use my voice, experience, and platform to bring attention to menstrual health challenges and encourage others to contribute to addressing them. 1. Building a Team Around a Shared Vision One of my first steps has been bringing together a team of 34 members who share an interest in the project’s mission. I want each member to understand why menstrual health matters and how their contribution can help advance our objectives. By encouraging teamwork, welcoming ideas, and creating opportunities for members to participate in planning, I hope to build a team that can inspire others through its commitment to the cause. 2. Raising Awareness Through Community Engagement
