Connected Development (CODE), a leading civil society organisation, has called on the federal government to leverage its extensive network of skill acquisition centres across Nigeria to empower women economically by integrating the production of reusable sanitary pads into vocational training programmes.
The call was made in Abuja on Wednesday by CODE’s chief executive, Mr. Hamzat Lawal, during a strategic partnership meeting with HUMANx Fashion, aimed at scaling the distribution of reusable pads to underserved communities.
Lawal noted that CODE, through its grassroots mobilisation network, has commenced the distribution of a recently received consignment of reusable pads across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. He emphasised that the demand for menstrual hygiene products extends beyond schoolgirls to teachers and mothers, revealing a broader market need and opportunity for local production.
“In Kogi State, after distributing reusable pads to students in institutions like the School of Nursing in Obangiri and Girls Secondary School in Okene, we began receiving direct requests from mothers,” Lawal said. “This presents a viable opportunity for the government to integrate pad production into its skill acquisition programmes, empowering women while addressing a critical public health need.”
He recommended that the government organise women in clusters within rural communities to produce reusable pads, thereby fostering local entrepreneurship, creating employment opportunities, and promoting income-generating activities for women.
Beyond economic empowerment, Lawal advocated the establishment of “pad banks” at key public locations to ensure women and girls can access menstrual hygiene products during emergencies or while in transit, thereby promoting dignity and reducing stigma.
He urged the government to partner with CSOs to scale such initiatives, describing menstrual hygiene as a “national emergency” requiring coordinated public-private action.
Also speaking, Mrs. Gbemi Elekula, Founder of HUMANx and Dream Homes, described the partnership with CODE as a blend of cultural relevance, design innovation, and grassroots impact. She praised CODE’s operational capacity in delivering hygiene products to remote communities efficiently.
“With CODE’s reach and data-driven systems, our pads are reaching the exact populations who need them most,” Elekula said. “But to scale this further, we need government provision of equipment such as sewing machines and financial support from donor institutions.”
The initiative is seen as a model for inclusive economic development, demonstrating how public-private partnerships can drive both social impact and economic empowerment, especially for women in low-income and underserved areas
