Musa Halilu, a tailor in Shelleng Local Government Area of Adamawa State, is transforming the lives of women and girls through a unique initiative that produces reusable sanitary pads from locally sourced fabric.
The initiative is providing affordable menstrual hygiene products to women and girls in Kiri and surrounding communities who cannot afford commercially produced sanitary pads.
What began as a means of earning a livelihood has gradually evolved into a social intervention aimed at promoting menstrual dignity, confidence and proper hygiene among young women and girls.
For many beneficiaries, access to branded sanitary products had long remained out of reach due to financial constraints. As a result, maintaining proper menstrual hygiene was often a challenge. Halilu’s reusable sanitary pads are helping to bridge that gap by providing a practical and affordable alternative.
The initiative has brought relief to a longstanding problem that affects the health, hygiene, confidence and overall well-being of many women and girls in rural communities.
Its impact extends beyond menstrual hygiene. Easy access to sanitary pads enables girls to remain in school during their menstrual periods, participate in daily activities without interruption and manage their health with greater confidence and dignity. The initiative is also helping to reduce the stigma and discrimination often associated with menstruation.
For families, the reusable pads offer a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to disposable products. This makes menstrual care more accessible, particularly in underserved rural communities where resources are limited.
Halilu’s initiative demonstrates how local skills and innovation can be harnessed to address pressing social challenges. Through his tailoring craft, he is improving the lives of women and girls, supporting educational opportunities for young people and contributing to the creation of communities where menstrual hygiene is no longer a barrier to health, dignity and participation in everyday life.