By Kelvin Obambon
In a bid to tackle period poverty and restore dignity to teenage girls and women in rural Cross River, Archibong Bassey, Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) Cross River State Council, has launched PADBANK. Unveiled during the 2025 World Humanitarian Day activities, the self-funded project aims to distribute 80,000 sanitary pads across 12 communities within the year.
Speaking at the launch in Adiabo Ikot Mbo Otu, Bassey shared that PADBANK was inspired by conversations highlighting the struggles of underprivileged girls in accessing menstrual hygiene products. She appealed to NGOs, individuals, and religious groups for support to sustain the initiative, sharing heartbreaking stories that underscore the urgency.
PADBANK’s Public Relations Officer, Ukoroebi Essien, emphasized that menstrual health is a fundamental right, not a luxury, and highlighted the broader societal costs when girls miss school or lose confidence due to poor menstrual care. The community leadership expressed strong support for the project, which concluded with the free distribution of sanitary pads to grateful recipients.
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