Affordable Menstrual Care: PSI Empowers Bauchi Girls, Women with Reusable Pad Skills

By Jibrin Hussaini Kundum, Bauchi

Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria has trained about twenty adolescent girls and women from Bauchi Local Government Area on the production, distribution, marketing, and sales of reusable sanitary pads, as part of efforts to promote affordable menstrual hygiene and economic empowerment.

The training was conducted under the Menstrual Health Now (MH-NOW) Project, a PSI Nigeria initiative focused on improving menstrual hygiene practices while creating livelihood opportunities for adolescent girls and women.

Bauchi State is one of the three states selected for the project, alongside Misau and Katagum Local Government Areas, where the programme is currently being implemented.

Speaking during the training session in Bauchi LGA, Mrs. Plangnan Dashe of PSI Nigeria said the initiative was designed to equip women and girls with practical skills in menstrual hygiene management, while addressing the rising cost of disposable sanitary pads.

She explained that the current economic challenges have made disposable pads unaffordable for many, forcing some women and girls to resort to unsafe alternatives such as cloth pieces and wrappers.

According to her, reusable sanitary pads provide a safe, affordable, and sustainable option that can help improve menstrual health outcomes and reduce financial burden on households.

Mrs. Dashe added that the programme also aims to support beneficiaries to become self-reliant by turning pad production into a small-scale business within their communities.

Also speaking, Adah Samuel of the Nigeria Women Rights and Empowerment Network (NIWOREN), who facilitated the technical session, explained that the reusable pads are produced locally using hygienic and safe materials.

She noted that when properly washed and maintained, the reusable sanitary pads can last for up to two years, making them a cost-effective alternative for menstrual care.

Ms. Samuel commended PSI Nigeria and the MH-NOW Project for the initiative, describing it as a major step toward empowering adolescent girls and women with knowledge and skills for improved menstrual health and economic independence.

Participants were encouraged to distribute and sell the reusable sanitary pads within their communities, particularly in rural areas, to expand access to safe menstrual products and support local livelihoods.