By Juliet Umeh

Gridiron GEMS, the girls’ empowerment initiative of the Nigeria American Football Association, NAFA, has launched a nationwide mentorship and menstrual health programme aimed at empowering 1,500 girls through leadership development, sports and access to menstrual hygiene support.

The initiative, unveiled in Lagos, combines a Cluster Mentorship Programme with a PadForHer Drive to provide structured mentoring, sports-based learning and menstrual health interventions for girls in underserved communities across the country.

Organisers said the programme would be implemented in Lagos, Abuja and Imo State through school-based activities and community outreach efforts designed to boost confidence, leadership capacity and access to essential hygiene products.

Under the mentorship component, participating girls will be paired with mentors from diverse sectors, including education, sports, media, entrepreneurship, wellness and community development. The mentors are expected to provide guidance and support beyond the initial engagement sessions.

Speaking at the launch, Vice President (Administration) and Coordinator of Gridiron GEMS, Ms. Nancy Damhindi, said the initiative was designed to address both the developmental and welfare needs of young girls.

According to her, the programme seeks to equip girls with the confidence, skills and opportunities needed to realise their full potential.

“Gridiron GEMS is not just about sports. It is about helping girls discover their voice, build confidence, develop leadership skills and access opportunities that can shape their future,” she said.

“Through mentorship and menstrual health support, we are creating a pathway that allows girls to show up fully, dream boldly and participate without limitations.”

As part of the PadForHer Drive, sanitary kits will be distributed to girls in low-income and hard-to-reach communities, including Makoko in Lagos.
Each kit contains sanitary pads, sanitary towels, roll-on deodorant, educational materials, bags and affirmation cards aimed at promoting menstrual hygiene awareness and self-esteem among beneficiaries.

Organisers said the programme would also feature menstrual health education sessions, myth-busting discussions, leadership workshops and confidence-building activities. Introductory flag football sessions have also been incorporated to teach teamwork, discipline and resilience.

According to Gridiron GEMS, the initiative is structured as a Sport for Development, S4D, intervention that leverages sports as a tool for social change, particularly in tackling barriers that hinder girls’ participation in education and leadership opportunities.

The organisation called on corporate organisations, development partners, foundations and individuals to support the programme through funding, donations of hygiene products and mentorship participation to enable it to reach more girls across Nigeria.