By Hosea Parah

More than 1,000 girls and young women have benefited from menstrual health education and hygiene support provided by Beth-Arbel Days for Girls Foundation, as the Nigerian nonprofit expands efforts to protect girls’ dignity, improve healthcare access and create opportunities for vulnerable women and young people.

Founded by Amarah Grace Joseph, the foundation combines menstrual health education, community healthcare, educational support and economic empowerment initiatives to address challenges that limit the wellbeing and development of girls and women in underserved communities.

The organisation, which announced its expanding interventions in Abuja on Monday, said its programmes were designed to ensure that limited access to healthcare, menstrual hygiene products, quality education and livelihood opportunities did not prevent girls and young women from achieving their potential.

Through school and community outreach, health education, civic engagement and empowerment programmes, the foundation is seeking to address both immediate needs and the underlying barriers to social and economic development.

Menstrual health education is one of the foundation’s major areas of intervention, with more than 1,000 girls and young women reached through its programmes, according to its records.

The foundation has conducted school and community-based activities to provide accurate information about menstruation, promote safe menstrual hygiene practices and distribute reusable menstrual hygiene products.

One such intervention took place in Godoji, within the Federal Capital Territory, where girls and young women received menstrual health education and reusable hygiene products.

The foundation said its approach went beyond distributing products to equip beneficiaries with practical knowledge on managing menstruation safely and confidently.

It also promotes reusable menstrual products as a sustainable alternative to disposable products, with emphasis on their proper use and care.

According to the organisation, menstruation should not be a source of shame or prevent girls from participating fully in school and community activities.

By combining education with access to hygiene products, the foundation seeks to help girls manage their periods with dignity while improving their understanding of menstrual health.

Beyond menstrual health, the foundation is working to improve health literacy and access to preventive healthcare, particularly among women who face barriers to obtaining reliable health information and medical services.

In 2022, it conducted a four-month health literacy programme in Godoji, Kuje Area Council, using information, education and communication materials in English and Hausa.

As part of the programme, 70 women underwent blood pressure and blood glucose screening.

The foundation’s records indicated that 10 women had elevated blood glucose levels within the prediabetes range, while three had results within the diabetic range. One participant was already aware of her health status.

The findings highlighted the importance of community-based screening in identifying potential health concerns and encouraging participants to seek appropriate medical assessment and follow-up.

The foundation has also organised free medical outreach programmes and distributed medicines as part of its efforts to improve access to basic healthcare.

Its health interventions complement its menstrual health programmes by addressing broader barriers that can affect women’s health, wellbeing and participation in community life.

The foundation is also targeting educational and economic challenges that can restrict the opportunities available to girls and young women.

It maintains that health problems, financial constraints and limited access to information can undermine young people’s ability to learn, develop practical skills and pursue their aspirations.

Its educational interventions include community sensitisation, health education and empowerment-focused engagement intended to complement formal learning and encourage personal development.

The organisation is also promoting entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, with an emphasis on practical skills, self-reliance and improved livelihood opportunities for women and young people.

According to the foundation, lasting development requires more than temporary assistance, making it important to equip beneficiaries with the knowledge and skills to improve their circumstances over time.

Agriculture is another area of interest, given its potential to support food production, strengthen household resilience and create livelihood opportunities in communities.

The foundation said these interventions formed part of a broader strategy to address the interconnected challenges of health, education and economic vulnerability.

In addition to its health and empowerment programmes, the foundation is promoting girls’ participation in governance through a civic technology initiative in Ebonyi State.

The project, titled Civic-Tech Forge: Empowering Girls on Governance in Ebonyi State, is supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).

It seeks to equip girls with knowledge of governance and civic participation while exploring how technology can help them engage with public issues and decisions affecting their communities.

The initiative reflects the foundation’s focus on expanding opportunities for girls beyond health and education to include civic awareness and participation in public life.

The organisation said girls and young women should be equipped not only with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities but also with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to decisions affecting their communities.

Through civic education and technology, the project aims to encourage young people to engage with governance and become more informed participants in community development.

Foundation seeks partnerships to expand interventions

Beth-Arbel Days for Girls Foundation said expanding its reach and sustaining its programmes would require stronger collaboration with government institutions, schools, healthcare professionals, development organisations, businesses, donors and community leaders.

The organisation said partnerships would help mobilise resources, strengthen existing interventions and extend support to more underserved communities.

Its programmes combine immediate assistance, including menstrual hygiene products and medical outreach, with longer-term interventions focused on health literacy, education, economic empowerment and civic participation.

The foundation said it would continue working to improve access to essential services and opportunities for girls, women and other vulnerable populations.

Its broader goal is to build communities where girls can manage their menstrual health without stigma, women can access reliable health information and economic opportunities, and young people can participate meaningfully in shaping their futures.

The foundation welcomes support and collaboration from public institutions, development partners, schools, healthcare professionals, corporate organisations, donors and community stakeholders seeking to advance these objectives.