Youth-led NGOs are battling period poverty in Nigeria. Their weapon is reusable pads

In Niger, an initiative challenging menstrual stigma is promoting knowledge and hygiene through community engagement and mentorship. Since 2019, the foundation has reached over 20 schools, 35 communities, more than 3,000 women and girls.

The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) provides comprehensive survivor support services including legal aid, medical care, shelters, and prevention programs, successfully building public trust and securing 140+ convictions while reaching 6.3 million people through awareness campaigns, though significant gaps remain between the 8,692 reported cases and actual access to justice and support services.

be artsy's Rato Baltin project uses culturally relevant education, menstrual kit distribution, and engages religious leaders to challenge discriminatory practices against those who menstruate. Since launching in 2017, the group has reached 80,000 people and distributed over 5,500 menstrual cups, while simultaneously helping shift perspectives around menstruating.

The Advocacy for Human Value Foundation works to protect vulnerable communities — like women and children — in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps due to the Boko Haram crises. The Foundation has addressed fundamental community needs by increasing access to water and hygiene facilities, healthcare services, educational opportunities, safety practices and has even partnered with entrepreneurs to empower women with profitable skills and small grants to help make them more independent.

The Girl Generation (TGG) practices intergenerational healing and provides trauma-informed support to women who have survived female genital mutilation (FGM). TGG aims for FGM to be recognized as a form of sexual violence rather than a cultural practice and does so by hosting mother-daughter forums for generations to cope and heal from their traumas together. TGG estimates they’ve reached about 300 women and girls so far, with hopes to expand the group to other communities.

Girls&More educates girls on menstruation, puberty and menstrual hygiene. The group travels to schools and throughout rural communities to talk to girls and provide them with sanitary pads and other resources they may struggle to access.

A Nigeria-based NGO is setting out to address period poverty by providing those in need with reusable sanitary napkins and also teaching them how to make the products themselves, all while educating them on menstrual hygiene and working to reduce the stigma surrounding periods.

At various camps for internally displaced persons, the Gender Equality Peace and Development Center built three permanent safe spaces for women and girls that have experienced gender-based violence. The Center is not only a safe space for these people to go but also empowers them by teaching them new skills, providing access to health care and a sense of community.

The Achievers Foundation distributes free sanitary pads to those experiencing period poverty. The Foundation also hosts lectures on sexual and menstrual health and works to fight the stigma surrounding periods in some communities.

The University of Arizona's student-run CUP women's clinic provides free preventive and primary care to uninsured Southern Arizona women. In 2025, they served 61 unique patients, a 35% increase from the prior year, and trained future physicians in community-based medicine and health equity.