On Friday, 27th February 2026, something meaningful happened in Abuja. Women and girls gathered at the Novere Center, Wuse Zone 5, not just to attend a workshop, but to be educated, empowered, and equipped with knowledge that many of them had never had access to before. The event, organised by Mindful Horizon Hub and the Fadora Champions Initiative, brought together advocates, founders, and everyday women in a space that was equal parts informative, interactive, and deeply impactful.
At the center of it all was Bolu Olorunfemi, founder of the Sustainable Menstrual Pads Initiative, popularly known as SuS Pads, a menstrual hygiene expert who has dedicated her work to making period education and sustainable menstrual products accessible to Nigerian women and girls.
Breaking the Silence on Menstruation
One of the most significant things about this workshop was the openness it created. Menstruation remains a subject surrounded by silence, shame, and misinformation in many Nigerian communities. Girls are often left to figure it out on their own, relying on myths passed down from family members or information that is incomplete at best and harmful at worst.
Bolu Olorunfemi tackled this head-on by starting from the very beginning. She introduced attendees to the basics of menstruation, including what it is, the ages at which it typically begins, the concept of menopause, and a thorough breakdown of the menstrual cycle and its phases. For many of the women and girls present, this was the first time they were receiving this information in a clear, shame-free, and structured way.
Understanding the menstrual cycle is not just biology. It is a tool for self-awareness. When a woman understands her cycle, she can better manage her health, track changes, and seek help when something feels wrong. This foundation is exactly what Bolu set out to build.
Introducing Sustainable Period Products to Nigerian Women
A major highlight of the workshop was the introduction to sustainable menstrual products, specifically the reusable cloth pad and the menstrual cup. These products remain largely unfamiliar to many Nigerian women, particularly those in low-income households who rely on disposable pads when they can afford them, and rags or improvised materials when they cannot.
Bolu did not just introduce these products theoretically. She walked attendees through how to use them, how to maintain them, and how to care for them over time. This hands-on approach is important because sustainable period products require a shift in mindset and practice, and that shift is much easier when you have someone demonstrating it in a relatable and approachable way.
Reusable cloth pads are washable, durable, and significantly more affordable over time than disposable alternatives. Menstrual cups, when used correctly, can last for years and are ideal for women looking for a reliable, low-waste option. By equipping women with this knowledge, Bolu is not only addressing menstrual hygiene but also contributing to environmental sustainability and long-term economic savings for Nigerian women.
Safe Menstrual Hygiene Practices Every Woman Should Know
Beyond the products themselves, Bolu Olorunfemi shared a range of practical hygiene tips and safe menstrual practices that every woman and girl should have in her toolkit. These included changing pads every four to six hours to prevent bacterial buildup and infection, washing the vaginal area with clean water rather than soaps or harsh products that disrupt natural pH balance, and wearing comfortable, breathable cotton underwear during menstruation.
She also spoke extensively on nutrition during menstruation, recommending iron-rich foods to replenish what is lost during bleeding, while advising women to avoid or reduce sugary foods, salty snacks, dairy products, and caffeine, all of which can worsen bloating, cramps, and mood swings. Another practical tip shared was the use of a warm compress on the lower abdomen to ease menstrual pain and encourage better blood flow, a simple and affordable remedy that many women may not have considered.
These are not complicated recommendations. They are accessible, evidence-based practices that can make a meaningful difference in how women experience their periods each month.
First Period Stories That Moved the Room
One of the most powerful and moving segments of the workshop came when women and girls were given the opportunity to share their first menstrual experiences. The stories that emerged painted a vivid picture of just how underprepared most Nigerian girls are when their period arrives for the first time.
Faith Agada, founder of Fadora Champions Initiative, created this space intentionally, understanding that shared experience is one of the most powerful forms of education. What came from the room was telling. Only a small number of the women present said they had been adequately prepared or educated about menstruation before it began. The majority described feelings of fear, confusion, and shock, even among those who had been given some information beforehand.
Perhaps most striking was the revelation that many women experienced their first period using rags or cloths, a reminder of how significant the gap in access to proper menstrual products still is across Nigeria. These stories were not just emotional, they were a call to action.
Mental Health, Social Media, and the Importance of Rest
The workshop was not limited to menstrual health alone. Jennifer Ojeh, founder of Mindful Horizon Hub, brought an equally important perspective to the table with her lecture on mental health and navigating life in the age of social media.
Jennifer spoke to the growing mental health challenges that women and young people face in an era where social media consumption is constant and often overwhelming. She emphasised the importance of sleep as a non-negotiable pillar of mental wellness and shared the practical recommendation of putting phones away at least two hours before bedtime, allowing the mind to wind down naturally and improve sleep quality.
In a world where many Nigerian women are juggling work, family, relationships, and social media all at once, this conversation was timely and necessary. Mental health is deeply connected to physical health, and a workshop focused on women’s wellbeing would not have been complete without it.
A Room Full of Founders and Change Makers
Beyond the content shared, the workshop created an invaluable networking environment. Founders, advocates, and supporters of menstrual health and women’s wellness gathered in the same room, exchanging ideas, experiences, and energy. The presence of multiple mission-driven individuals made the session feel less like a formal event and more like a community coming together around a shared purpose.
Bolu Olorunfemi also took the opportunity to gift some of the participants her book, Period Smart, alongside the SuS Pads Period Tracker and Hygiene Guide and a SuS Pads reusable pad. These gifts were not just tokens. They were tools, resources that attendees could take home and continue learning from long after the workshop ended.
Free Menstrual Hygiene Products for Attendees
The organisers, Mindful Horizon Hub and Fadora Champions Initiative, ensured that every woman and girl left with more than knowledge. Free distribution of sanitary pads, bathing soap, and notebooks was made available to attendees, a gesture that spoke to the ethos of both organisations. Education is most powerful when it is accompanied by access.
Why Workshops Like This Matter
Nigeria has one of the highest rates of period poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Millions of girls miss school during menstruation due to lack of products, inadequate facilities, or shame. Women suffer through painful, irregular, or abnormal cycles without understanding that help is available. Many have never had a single honest conversation about their bodies.
Workshops like the one held on the 27th of February are not extras. They are necessities. They fill gaps that the education system, healthcare infrastructure, and even households have left open for far too long. When a woman understands her body, she is better positioned to take care of it, advocate for herself, and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.
Bolu Olorunfemi, through SuS Pads, continues to show that menstrual health advocacy is not just about distributing pads. It is about education, access, sustainability, and dignity. And that is exactly what this workshop delivered.
Final Thoughts
The Menstrual Hygiene and Wellness Workshop organised by Mindful Horizon Hub and Fadora Champions Initiative was more than a one-day event. It was a reminder of what is possible when passionate individuals come together with a clear mission. It was empowering, interactive, educational, and fun, and for many of the women and girls who attended, it may very well have been life-changing.
If you missed it, follow Bolu Olorunfemi and SuS Pads, Mindful Horizon Hub, and Fadora Champions Initiative on their platforms to stay updated on future events, resources, and opportunities to be part of this growing movement for menstrual health in Nigeria.
Because every woman deserves to understand her body. And every girl deserves to be prepared.
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