Bukola Afeni
The Citizen Participation Advancement and Awareness Initiative (CPAAI) has used a football match to promote menstrual hygiene awareness and advocate for a period-friendly society as part of activities marking World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 in Kuje, Abuja.
The event, organised through CPAAI’s flagship Pad A Girl Today Project (PaG-T), brought together students, community members, government officials, civil society organisations and development partners.
A friendly football match between the CPAAI Women Support Group and a men’s team drawn from partner organisations served as the highlight of the programme, with the women’s team securing a 2–1 victory.
Held at New Hope International School, the event aligned with the 2026 global theme, “Together for a Period-Friendly World,” and attracted about 450 students from six schools in Kuje, alongside 105 community members, teachers and other stakeholders. The match was also broadcast live on NTA Sports.
Speaking during the programme, CPAAI partner, Funmi Olorunmola, said the football match was designed to create awareness and encourage conversations around menstruation.
“We are here in New Hope, Kuje, to celebrate with a football match between women from the Citizen Participation Advancement and Awareness Initiative support group and our partners,” she said.
Another CPAAI partner, Adeola Dikko, said access to menstrual products and education remains critical to improving the wellbeing of girls.
“We realise that if we are able to provide these items free of charge and educate girls, they will understand that menstruation is nothing to be ashamed of,” she said.
Beyond the football match, the organisation distributed sanitary pads, school bags and blood tonic to students, while also providing free medical tests and menstrual hygiene education.
The Proprietress of New Hope International School, Grace Obanure, described the programme as timely, noting that it would help young people understand that menstruation is a natural biological process.
“This will open the eyes of the children to know that menstruation is not an awkward thing; it is a natural occurrence,” she said.
The Head of School, John Akande, stressed the importance of involving boys in menstrual hygiene education.
“It goes beyond educating girls alone. Boys also need to understand how they can support menstrual hygiene,” he said.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the organisers.
A student of New Hope International School, Faith Olorunmola, thanked CPAAI for providing sanitary materials and other items to support girls.
“I’m happy to see bags, blood tonic, pads and other materials provided for the girls. I thank the organisers and pray that God continues to strengthen them,” she said.
Another student, Sekinat Yahaya, said the knowledge shared during the programme would have a lasting impact.
The programme received support from the Ministry of Women Affairs and several partner organisations, including Flour Mills of Nigeria, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Fidson Healthcare, Every Child Is a Star Initiative and New Hope International School.
CPAAI said it would continue to use sports and community-based initiatives to promote menstrual hygiene awareness, empower girls and encourage inclusive participation in conversations around reproductive health.
