No tackle period poverty and promote environmental sustainability, a non-profit organisation, HopeForHer Initiative, in collaboration with the Chinenye Owums Foundation, has launched a Pad Bank and Plastic Bottle Collection Centre at Ohaji High School, Mgbirichi, in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
Speaking at the launch on Friday, the founder of HopeForHer Initiative, Miss Chiamaka Enyia, said the project was designed to ensure that no girl misses school because of menstruation while promoting responsible waste management.
She said the initiative seeks to empower girls with knowledge, dignity and access to essential menstrual products while addressing the growing challenge of plastic waste in communities.
According to Enyia, the project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals, including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).
She explained that the initiative focuses on combating period poverty, promoting menstrual hygiene management and encouraging environmental consciousness among students and members of the host community.
Enyia said students were educated on proper menstrual hygiene practices, personal care during menstruation and the need to break the stigma surrounding periods. They were also trained on how to manage and sustain the Pad Bank to ensure uninterrupted access to sanitary products for girls in need.
As part of the project’s sustainability plan, a Plastic Bottle Collection Centre was established within the school, enabling students to exchange collected plastic bottles for sanitary pads through the Pad Bank.
“This initiative is an innovative model that guarantees a sustainable supply of menstrual products while promoting recycling, environmental cleanliness and responsible waste disposal,” she said.
Enyia added that through strategic partnerships and community-driven solutions, HopeForHer Initiative and the Chinenye Owums Foundation remained committed to ensuring that girls can manage their menstruation with dignity while contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals, Chinenyenwa Oguamaman, commended the HopeForHer team for championing an initiative that promotes menstrual health, preserves the dignity of girls and supports uninterrupted education.
She described the launch of the Pad Bank as a milestone in efforts to improve the well-being of adolescent girls in public schools across Imo State.
Oguamaman also applauded the foundation’s innovative “exchange plastic bottles for sanitary pads” model, saying it “addresses period poverty while encouraging proper plastic bottle disposal and recycling.”
She urged the students to safeguard and make judicious use of the Pad Bank to ensure its sustainability and long-term impact.
The governor’s aide reaffirmed her commitment to strengthening collaboration with the HopeForHer Humanitarian Foundation, expressing readiness to support more initiatives aimed at advancing the health, education, empowerment and sustainable development of girls and young women across the state.
The launch attracted about 350 participants, including over 300 students, five representatives from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and the Chinenye Owuamalam Foundation, community leaders, and other stakeholders. Among those in attendance was the guest of honour, Evarestus Dikeocha,
Councillor representing Awarra/Ikwerede Ward, Ohaji/Egbema Legislative Council, and a community leader, John Nwaulu, pledged their support for the initiative, as well as 13 members of the HopeForHer Initiative team.
