Gboko, Nigeria – June 5, 2026; as the world celebrates World Environment Day 2026, a silent revolution in Gboko, Benue State, is proving that youth-led solutions are the key to a cleaner, more equitable future. The GiveHerOne Pad: Tackling Menstrual Waste and Empowering Girls in Gboko, led by the Gender Equality Club Nigeria (GECN), has officially transitioned from a funded project to a self-sustaining movement, demonstrating how menstrual health and climate action are inextricably linked.
Originally launched in November 2024 through the Youth Empowerment Fund (YEF) Cycle 1, funded by the European Union in partnership with Global Youth Mobilization (GYM), the project officially concluded its first funding cycle in May 2026. Under the leadership of Ms. Rebecca Saar Erdoo, whose lived experiences of struggling with menstrual management from ages 12–18 informed the project’s design, the initiative has turned personal pain into a community-wide purpose.
A milestone of impact and acceptability
While originally designed to reach 100 young people, the initiative’s impact has shattered expectations, engaging and impacting over 1,000 young people through menstrual health education, environmental awareness, and reusable pad promotion.
- Broad Reach: Beyond the 100 girls targeted for intensive training, the project reached 252 adolescents in its first phase and another 181 in its final phase.
- Male Champions: The project achieved high community acceptability by involving boys, such as student Dzer Stephen, who shared that the training was his first opportunity to learn about menstruation and how to support girls, effectively breaking long-standing stigmas.
- Indigenous Support: Partnerships with the Gboko Local Government Environmental and Health Department, local schools, and the Gboko Association of Tailors ensured the project was rooted in local ownership and trust.
Sustainability: The Power of “Environmental Agents”
On this World Environment Day, the project’s Environmental Agents a dedicated group of youth ambassadors continued their awareness activities in schools and communities. They are promoting the project’s innovative clay soil-based disposal systems, which are affordable, eco-friendly, and easy for rural communities to replicate, unlike expensive metal alternatives. This commitment shows that the “environmental champions” raised by GECN are prepared to lead long after the official funding ends.
Advocacy Strategy: Aligning with the National Policy
A historic milestone has recently shifted the landscape of menstrual health in Nigeria: the Federal Government has launched its first National Policy and Implementation Strategy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management. This policy introduces “Pad Banks” which the government defines as “dignity infrastructure” to ensure no girl misses class due to a lack of supplies.
GECN’s Advocacy Strategy in Benue State includes:
- Curriculum Integration: GECN is currently in discussions with the Benue State Ministry of Education, Knowledge and Management in Makurdi to advocate for the inclusion of the SDGs and Menstrual Hygiene Education in the statewide school curriculum.
- State-Level Implementation: GECN is leveraging the national policy to urge the Benue State Government to adopt the “Gboko Model” combining education with local reusable pad production to ensure “Pad Banks” are sustainable and environmentally friendly.
- Leadership Pipeline: The organization is mentoring young women to serve as community menstrual health leaders who will oversee the local implementation of these new national standards.
World Environment Day 2026: Pros and Cons
- Pros: The global platform of June 5th amplifies the message that menstrual waste management is climate action. It provides a high-visibility moment to celebrate the transition of project participants into “Environmental Agents”.
- Cons: June coincides with the peak of the rainy season in Benue State, which has historically delayed the installation of outdoor disposal systems and can make community mobilization in remote rural areas difficult.
A Prayer to Our Funders
We offer a prayer of deep gratitude to the European Union, the Global Youth Mobilization, and the Youth Empowerment Fund. May your vision for youth-led change continue to thrive, and may the resources you have invested in Gboko yield a harvest of dignity, health, and environmental resilience for generations of girls to come.
Call to Action
The funding cycle has ended, but the mission remains.
- For Private Sector Partners: Help us fund the materials for the next 1,000 reusable pads.
- For Community Leaders: Partner with us to install clay-based disposal systems in your local schools.
- For the Government: We call on the Benue State Government to fully adopt and fund the National Menstrual Health Policy.
Together, we are raising a new generation of environmental champions committed to healthier girls, cleaner communities, and a sustainable future.
Kind regards,
Ms. Favour Gbilekaa
Content Creation Officer
Gender Equality Club Nigeria