Connected Development and HumanX formalise a partnership to distribute reusable dignity pads to schoolgirls across Nigeria.
An advocacy group Connected Development, CODE, has partnered with social enterprise HUMANx to combat period poverty and improve girls’ access to education in Nigeria.
At a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, CODE announced the receipt of 200 reusable menstrual pads, called dignity pads for immediate distribution across six states, including Kogi, Bauchi, Kaduna, Bayelsa, Enugu, and Ogun.
Executive Director of CODE, Mallam Hamzat Lawal, said the organisation will also train girls on how to make the pads themselves, empowering them while promoting the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“This partnership isn’t just about pads, it’s about dignity, equality, and education, Girls in remote communities miss five to seven days of school every month due to lack of menstrual hygiene. That’s unacceptable in 2025.” Mallam Lawal stated.
“This isn’t just a women’s issue,” Lawal said. “We must engage traditional leaders, communities, and men if we want lasting change.”
He revealed that the reusable dignity pads is long-lasting menstrual hygiene products designed by HUMANx to be affordable, washable, and environmentally sustainable with each pad lasting up to four years.
Gbemi Elekula, founder of HUMANx, explained that the social enterprise’s unique model, funds pad production through fashion sales.
“We design for impact, we sell clothes and use the proceeds to produce dignity pads, which we then distribute for free to girls and women in underserved communities.” she said.
According to her, “This is not charity. This is a movement. No one should suffer for menstruating — it’s a normal biological function.”
Elekula shared stories of girls forced to reuse disposable pads until they fell apart, leading to infections, shame, and school dropout. “It’s heart-breaking. Girls are missing out on education simply because of their period.”
The collaboration will run for 18 months, with CODE leading on field deployment, data collection, community sensitisation and train girls on how to produce the pads locally.
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