
By Esther Williams
While I was a student at the University of Lagos, I met a 13-year-old girl named Kudirat who was hawking fruits by the roadside. She looked uneasy, and I noticed she had been stained. Speaking to her in Yoruba, which is one of our dialects, I gently pointed it out. She asked if I had any clothes or tissues she could use. Sadly, I didn’t.
Curious, I asked why she wasn’t in school, and her answer broke my heart: “Whenever I am menstruating, I don’t go to school because of shame.”
I bought her a pack of sanitary pads, and to my shock, she told me she had never seen a pad inside before, let alone used one. That moment stayed with me for years. I was a 13-year-old girl missing out on education and basic dignity because something so natural lived inside of me for a long time.
Kudirat’s story led to the creation of ‘Pad A Girl,’ a mission to break menstrual stigma, provide hygiene products, and ensure no girl feels ashamed or held back because of her period.

Pad-A-Girl in Action
On November 3rd and 4th, 2024, my organization, the Esther Williams Foundation, held the ‘Pad A Girl’ outreach program in Lagos State, Nigeria, empowering 1,000 young girls. The event aimed to provide access to essential menstrual hygiene products and educate the girls about menstrual health and personal development.
I was both excited and nervous because this was my first ‘Pad A Girl’ event since the initiative’s establishment, and I wasn’t sure how it would turn out. Would the girls be receptive? Would I be able to get the necessary support and donations? Would I meet up within the time frame? Would I face any challenges?
It was just a lot of thoughts that were running through me at that time. But as the day unfolded, my fears melted away, replaced with hope and pride at what we were achieving.
We distributed 1,000 swag bags filled with sanitary pads, toiletries, educational pamphlets, and stationery. These essential items equip girls with the ability to manage their hygiene with dignity and confidence.
The event wasn’t just about distribution. It was about education, empowerment, and creating a safe space where girls could learn, share, and feel inspired to thrive.

The Day of Empowerment
As the girls entered the hall, there was a mix of curiosity, excitement, and a little hesitation on their faces. I kicked off the event by saying something I wish someone had told me when I was their age:
“There is nothing shameful about your period. It’s a natural, beautiful part of being a woman.”
Seeing their faces light up as they listened reminded me why I do this work and with words of affirmation, I gave them, ending with the vogue term period with a smile.
We also led hands-on sessions to teach the girls how to use and manage sanitary pads. Each girl received a swag bag filled with sanitary pads, pamphlets, toothbrushes, and stationery that would last far longer than the items in their bags.
The Challenges Along the Way
The journey hasn’t been easy. Securing schools and locations willing to host our events, especially in communities where menstruation is rarely discussed, has been a challenge. Additionally, raising funds, sourcing resources, and gathering enough sanitary products to meet the needs of the girls have often seemed like uphill battles.
Despite these hurdles, moments of impact like the Pad-A-Girl event remind me why I began this journey. Watching these girls walk out with confidence and hope fuels my determination to keep pushing forward.

Why This Work Matters to Me
As someone passionate about girl-child empowerment, this cause resonates deeply with me. No girl should have her education or confidence hindered by something as natural as menstruation. Addressing these challenges head-on isn’t just about improving physical health; it’s about giving these girls the tools to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.
Our Long-Term Mission
The Pad A Girl initiative is just the beginning. I now term it Pad A GIRL 1.0 because it’s ready to stay. My dream is to expand this movement across Nigeria and Africa, reaching thousands more girls. We aim to partner with schools, communities, and companies to make menstrual health a national priority.
As I always tell my friends, this is more than a one-day event; it’s a movement. By tackling menstrual hygiene, we’re directly addressing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 5: Gender Equality).


Esther Williams is the founder of the Esther Williams Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering girls and providing education, healthcare, and support to children. She is passionate about breaking societal stigmas and creating opportunities to uplift the next generation.You can also connect with Esther on Instagram.