The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, Archibong Bassey, has unveiled an initiative tagged PADBANK, with the aim of distributing 80,000 sanitary pads to girls and women in 12 rural communities within one year.
The project was flagged off on Tuesday at Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu community in Odukpani Local Government Area, where free sanitary pads were distributed to teenage girls and women.
Bassey, who also serves as the coordinator of the initiative, said the idea stemmed from a conversation with a friend about the struggles faced by less privileged girls in managing menstrual hygiene.
“No girl ever asked for a menstrual cycle. It is a natural gift, and none should be humiliated or dehumanised because she cannot afford a sanitary towel. PADBANK was born out of that conviction, and today being International Humanitarian Day, we are glad to translate a simple conversation into a life-changing action,” she said.
The NUJ chair disclosed that the project is self-funded but appealed to individuals, religious organisations, and corporate bodies to partner with PADBANK to reach more communities.
“A 24-year-old recently begged for just ₦5,000 to buy a sanitary towel and painkillers. That broke me. It shows how urgent this intervention is. We want PADBANK to always have pads in stock so that girls never have to beg for dignity,” she added.
The Public Relations Officer of PADBANK, Ukoroebi Essien, also addressed the beneficiaries, stressing that menstrual hygiene should be treated as a basic right rather than a privilege.
“This is not about charity, it is about necessity. When girls miss school or lose confidence because they cannot manage their periods, society pays the price. PADBANK is here to change that story,” Essien said.
On behalf of the community, Chief Ukpabio Okon Abasi, the traditional head in charge of health, commended the NUJ chairman and her team for bringing the initiative to Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu, describing it as timely and impactful.
The outreach ended with the distribution of free sanitary pads, with beneficiaries expressing gratitude for the intervention.
