ADAMAWA AGOG AS MADEN HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL BOY CHILD DAY

Maden Healthcare Foundation Adamawa State Chapter Marks the International day of the boy child (May 16th) and World Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28th) with Adolescent Forum and Community Awareness Campaign

The Adamawa State Chapter of Maden Healthcare Foundation commemorated World Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026 with impactful activities focused on menstrual health education, youth engagement, and community sensitization.

As part of the commemoration, the Foundation organized an Adolescent Forum on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Concordia College, Yola. The event brought together students and teachers from seven schools where Maden Healthcare Foundation has established School Health Clubs.

The forum created a safe and interactive space for adolescents to discuss menstrual health and hygiene, challenge stigma, and promote healthy conversations around menstruation among both girls and boys.

Activities conducted during the event included registration, focused group discussions, students’ talk shows, expert talk sessions, quizzes, question-and-answer sessions, educational video presentations, a Maden address, networking sessions, a menstrual health pledge, refreshments, and a group photograph session.

The event recorded the attendance of 96 students, including 80 girls and 16 boys, alongside 15 teachers comprising 10 females and 5 males. About 160 sanitary pads were distributed to participants during the outreach.

Speaking on the significance of the program, the Adamawa State Coordinator of Maden Healthcare Foundation, Ms. Oluwabunmi Anani, emphasized the importance of engaging adolescents through relatable storytelling and focused discussions to encourage openness and participation around menstrual health issues.

The Foundation noted several key lessons from the engagement, including the need to focus more intentionally on underserved schools and communities. Organizers also highlighted the importance of moving menstrual health interventions beyond sensitization towards more sustainable empowerment initiatives for girls and young women.

Another major takeaway from the event was the importance of involving men and boys in menstrual health education. According to the organizers, increased awareness among male students and men would help reduce stigma, apathy, and negative attitudes surrounding menstruation and issues affecting the girl child.

The active participation of teacher coordinators overseeing Maden School Health Clubs across participating schools also contributed significantly to the success of the program, as many educators expressed appreciation for being included and recognized in the initiative.

Continuing the commemoration activities, the Adamawa State Chapter also conducted a Community Awareness Outreach on Sunday, May 24, 2026, at the Presbyterian Church, Jambutu, beside Bosco Secondary School. The outreach focused on educating community members about menstrual hygiene, promoting support for girls and women during menstruation, and encouraging healthier menstrual practices within the community.

Maden Healthcare Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting menstrual health, advancing school health programs, and supporting vulnerable communities through sustainable interventions and advocacy across Nigeria.