Ilorin Youth Group Launches SustainHER to Tackle Period Poverty, Empower Girls in Kwara Schools

 

In a bold step to tackle period poverty and promote female health education, the Ilorin Global Shapers Community has launched the SustainHER Network under its Safe Space for HER Project, targeting schoolgirls across Kwara State.

Speaking during the launch in Ilorin, the Curator of the community, Luqman Mustapha, explained that the initiative, which is part of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers program, has already impacted over 1,500 girls in 15 schools across nine Local Government Areas in the state.

“Our project is focused on equipping girls with knowledge on sexual and reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, and the importance of education and skill development,”

“We selected 150 ambassadors, trained 15 teachers, and established sanitary pad banks to ensure girls have access to hygiene materials,” Mustapha said.

Representing the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Lawal Olorungbebe, at the event, Mr. Taye Odedeji of the Educational Resource Centre commended the group for going beyond just providing sanitary pads.

“This project touches the real lives of 1,500 girls, and that’s what matters. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4—good health and quality education,” Odedeji said. “The government is proud to partner with such impactful work.”

Also lending her voice, Dorcas Adeyemi from the UNESCO Desk in Kwara called for the replication of the Safe Space for HER Project across the country.

“This initiative addresses a national concern. UNICEF reports show many Nigerian girls lack safe conditions during menstruation. UNESCO estimates one in five girls miss school due to period-related challenges—about 20% of the academic year,” she stated.

Project Team Lead, Oluwayemisi Fagboro, painted a stark picture of what many girls face when they cannot afford basic hygiene products.

“Girls use leaves, paper, cotton wool, or even nothing at all during their period. Some get involved in transactional sex just to afford a pad, leading to pregnancies and, in some cases, abortions or death,” she said. “We’ve only reached 1.59% of schools in Kwara. We need more hands and more help.”

Fagboro shared the support and donation link as: https://safespace.iloringlobalshapers.org/sustainher

Students and teachers involved in the project shared how it has changed their communities. Joshua Maiyekogbon, a student of Ita Aisha Secondary School, emphasized the importance of empathy.

“Instead of mocking girls who get stained, we now show support. It’s a natural thing,” he said.

At the Anglican Girls College in Iludun Oro, teacher Adebisi Ramat noted that many girls have shifted their mindset.

“Before, they just wanted to get married after school. Now, they want to be leaders. This project changed them,” she said.

Lucy Jiyah, a teacher at Cherubim and Seraph Secondary School, said the program helped demystify menstrual health.

“Our girls now understand their cycles and help each other. We’ve been able to explain confusing issues like irregular periods.”

Mary Odebunmi, a teacher from Government Secondary School, Bode Saadu, said the initiative has made girls more open and confident.

“They now ask questions and share both personal and academic concerns freely. That’s the real impact,” she said.

With the launch of the SustainHER Network, the Safe Space for HER initiative looks to expand its reach, calling on stakeholders, institutions, and individuals to support a movement aimed at dignity, education, and health for every girl in Kwara and beyond.

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