Friday 18th of April 2025

Nairobi, Kenya

Empowering the Next Generation: Esther Williams Foundation’s Transformative “Pad a Girl” Outreach Events in Lagos

On November 3rd and 4th, 2024, the Esther Williams Foundation spearheaded an impactful two-day outreach initiative, the “Pad a Girl” program, across Lagos State. The events, held at Queens College, Sabo, Yaba, and Oluwole Secondary School, Ejigbo, brought together hundreds of young girls to educate, inspire, and empower them, with a focus on menstrual hygiene and personal development.

Day 1: Transforming Lives at Queens College, Sabo, Yaba
The program launched at Queens College, where over 500 young girls gathered for a day of empowerment and education. Each attendee received a swag bag containing sanitary pads, notepads, stationery, and toothbrushes—essential items designed to promote health, education, and self-care.

The day began with inspiring talks by notable speakers, including Oyindamola Oyinade, a passionate advocate for girl child empowerment. Oyinade encouraged the girls to embrace self-belief, maintain good hygiene, and remain resilient in the face of challenges as they work towards achieving their dreams.

A key highlight was the hands-on demonstration by Feyisayo Onogberie, who provided practical menstrual health management tips and educated the girls on proper sanitary pad usage. Her engaging session not only broke down stigmas surrounding menstruation but also advanced the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3—Good Health and Well-Being.

The event also featured a dynamic fireside chat led by a panel of inspiring women, including the foundation’s founder, Esther Williams, along with Damola Ayoade and Feyisayo Onogberie. Together, they fielded the girls’ pressing questions on menstrual hygiene and personal empowerment, fostering open conversations and providing valuable insights.

Day 2: Extending the Impact to Oluwole Secondary School, Ejigbo
The following day, the outreach expanded to Oluwole Secondary School, where another 500 swag bags were distributed. Esther Williams took the stage to emphasize the importance of menstrual hygiene and dismantle the societal stigmas surrounding it. Her insightful session encouraged the students to prioritize their health and approach menstruation with confidence.

Building on this foundation, Odeyemi Wemimo conducted an interactive session on menstrual health, equipping the girls with essential skills to manage their menstrual cycles effectively. These practical demonstrations not only provided knowledge but also fostered a sense of empowerment among the attendees.

A Movement for Change
Across the two days, 1,000 swag bags were distributed, symbolizing the Esther Williams Foundation’s unwavering commitment to addressing period poverty, breaking barriers, and fostering opportunities for young girls. Each session was a testament to the foundation’s mission: to inspire confidence, promote good hygiene practices, and equip girls with the tools they need to thrive.

The “Pad a Girl” program is more than just an initiative—it is a movement rooted in hope, empowerment, and the drive to create lasting change. By ensuring that every girl has access to resources, education, and a belief in her potential, the Esther Williams Foundation is paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future.

As Esther Williams aptly puts it, “We’re not just addressing period poverty; we’re creating opportunities for young girls to thrive, dream, and succeed.”

Content courtesy of Esther Williams Foundation & NFH Digital Team

Uganda Singer Sheebah Karungi Launches Reusable Sanitary Holic Pads  

The venture launched on Women’s Day is Dubbed ‘Holic Pads’, at UMA Showgrounds held where the prestigious Diamond Potential Women’s, Sheebah Karungi has gone the entrepreneurial way. On Sunday the self-styled Swag Mama launched a new sanitary pad product named Holic Pads.

“I come from a less privileged background as a little girl. I got my first period at the age of 13. I remember my very first day on my menstrual cycle, my mother cut a piece of cloth for me to use. And I remember going to school and seeing other girls using the pads that my family and I couldn’t afford and thinking of how privileged they were. Fast forward, later on I left home started working as a dancer, I gained a little income just enough for me to finally afford the pads for myself.

But I remember my first pads I used would burn me and leave a lot of discomfort. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they also had an odd scent to them. At first, I thought maybe I am just allergic to that brand because I naturally have allergies. So, my instinct was to switch to another brand and yet same thing happened, and I was left with no option. Later on, in life (2007) when I joined the obsessions singing group, I learned about tampons because my then manager would not let us perform on stage with pads on. At that time, I was 16 going to 17 and ever since then I never really used pads again because each and every time, they would burn me and leave me irritated. So I paid attention to all these issues that we all find in some of the sanitary pads we use and made sure we get the best”

The launch happened at Pearl of Africa Hotel in the presence of influential women including; Barbie Kyagulanyi, Queen of Toro Best Kemigisha, Miss Uganda’s Brenda Nanyonjo, former Miss Uganda Brenda Abenakyo and many others.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B9hHIVJDtay/?utm_source=ig_embed

At the event, Sheebah said she had been inspired by her past struggles to get pads to launch the business. “My mother could not afford pads. I would use pieces of cloth to stop the blood from crawling,” she said in the presence of her mother.

Sheebah said she had started many businesses in the past but most have failed. This one, she said, would not fail. “I am going to do everything to ensure that this works.”
Holic Pads will be manufactured and sold under the company Sheebah Establishments, Barbie Itungo congratulated Sheebah upon launching her business and called on other female celebrities to follow suit.

Content courtesy of Nairobi fashion hub Digital Team

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