Safeguarding Children Initiative -SCII

A Story of Dignity and Hope - Menstrual Hygiene Day

For years, 14-year-old Amina from a conflict-affected community in Northeast Nigeria struggled silently every month during her menstrual cycle. Without access to sanitary materials or proper information about menstrual health, she often missed school and avoided social activities out of fear and embarrassment.

Everything began to change when Safeguarding Children Initiative (SCII) reached her community through its child protection and girls’ empowerment interventions. Through hygiene awareness sessions, dignity kit distribution, and safe spaces for adolescent girls, Amina learned about menstrual hygiene management, personal care, and the importance of confidence and self-worth.

Today, Amina no longer stays home during her period. She attends school regularly, participates actively in class, and now encourages other girls in her community to speak openly about menstrual health without shame or fear.

Amina’s story reminds us that access to menstrual hygiene is more than a health issue. It is about dignity, education, protection, and empowerment for every girl child.

On this Menstrual Hygiene Day, we reaffirm the need to break the silence around menstruation and ensure that every girl can manage her period safely and with dignity, without fear, shame, or discrimination.

No girl should miss school, feel excluded, or be placed at risk because of menstruation. Together, we can promote awareness, support access to menstrual hygiene resources, and create safe environments where girls and women can thrive.
Menstrual health is a right, not a privilege.

Today, on Children’s Day, we celebrate the strength, dreams, laughter, and limitless potential of every child.

But even as we celebrate, our hearts remain with the many children in Nigeria who are missing, abducted, displaced, or living in captivity due to conflict, violence, trafficking, and insecurity. No child should grow up in fear. No child should be denied safety, education, love, and freedom.

At Safeguarding Children Initiative, we believe every child deserves:

Protection from harm

A safe home and community

Access to education

Freedom to dream and thrive

A voice that is heard and valued

This Children’s Day, let us move beyond celebration into action. Let us speak up for vulnerable children, strengthen safeguarding systems, support affected families, and refuse to stay silent while children suffer.

Every missing child matters.
Every vulnerable child matters.
Every child deserves to come home safe.

Together, we can build a Nigeria where children are protected, valued, and free to be children.

Happy Children’s Day to every child especially those waiting to be reunited with safety, hope, and love. 💙










Adamawa PWDs and Vulnerable Support Initiatives Friends Save the Children, Nigeria UNFPA Nigeria Plan International Impact Hub Foundation