…leads campaign to restore menstrual dignity in IDP camps
…over 1,000 girls reached so far

By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

In a bid to end period poverty and restore menstrual dignity among vulnerable girls, especially those in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, the Founder of the Centre for Teens Health and Development (Centre4Teens), Morenikejimi Olaniran, has said her passion stems from personal experience growing up without access to basic menstrual supplies, including underwear.

Speaking with Vanguard on Saturday during her outreach , she said the non-profit organization exists to empower teenagers with the knowledge and skills they need to make healthy decisions, build self-confidence, and transition into self-reliant adults.

According to her, since its inception, Centre4Teens has launched several impactful initiatives.

Its flagship project, the MO Reusable Pads Initiative, was introduced in 2022 to promote safe menstrual hygiene through hands-on training in making eco-friendly reusable pads.

The project also educates girls on maintaining the pads for long-term use.

Through this initiative, over 1,000 teenage girls from underserved communities and IDP camps across six Nigerian states have been reached.

Morenikejimi noted that many girls in rural and displaced communities face extreme challenges managing their periods; not just because they lack sanitary pads, but because they don’t even have underwear.

She said, “Our focus is on three major areas: personal development, sexual and reproductive health, and skills empowerment.

“Period poverty is a harsh reality that millions of women and girls face every day.

“As a young girl, I experienced firsthand what it meant to lack access to menstrual health education, sanitary products, and even something as basic as underwear.

“Those challenges left deep impressions that have fueled my passion for change.

“Through my work in underserved communities and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps across six states in Nigeria, I have seen that the issue goes beyond access to menstrual products. Many girls do not even have access to underwear, which is essential for managing their periods with dignity.”

To tackle this, the Centre recently launched the Paata Campaign, which focuses on distributing underwear alongside reusable pads and menstrual health education.

“The project was named ‘Paata’ because it means underwear in some local dialects, and it reflects the very real needs of these girls,” she added.

Morenikejimi emphasized that no girl should have to manage her period with shame or isolation.

“We are committed to ensuring every girl experiences her period with confidence, safety, and dignity. This is not just a health issue, it’s a human rights issue,” she said.