Rhoda Serene Care Foundation Launches Menstrual Health Course, Scholarship Initiative for Girls

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Rhoda Serene Care Foundation, through its girls’ empowerment initiative, Arise for Girls, has launched a four-week Menstrual Hygiene and Girls’ Well-Being Course aimed at improving menstrual health knowledge, promoting hygiene practices and empowering girls to manage their menstrual health with confidence and dignity.

The online programme, which commenced on October 24 and is scheduled to end on November 21, 2026, is being delivered through WhatsApp, with participants engaging in educational lessons, audio and video presentations, infographics, quizzes, polls and interactive discussions.

The initiative is designed to address persistent challenges surrounding menstrual health education, including misinformation, cultural misconceptions, stigma, inadequate hygiene knowledge and period poverty, which continue to affect the well-being and educational experiences of many girls.

According to the Foundation, the course focuses on helping participants understand the female reproductive system and menstrual cycle, practise appropriate menstrual hygiene, distinguish myths from facts, recognise menstrual health warning signs and understand when to seek professional medical attention.

The programme also encourages parental involvement, particularly among younger participants who may not have personal access to mobile devices. Mothers and guardians are being encouraged to support their children’s participation and engage in conversations that promote informed menstrual health decisions.

Speaking on the initiative, the Founder and Executive Director of Rhoda Serene Care Foundation, Rhoda Olorunfemi, said the programme was established to ensure that girls have access to accurate information about their bodies and are not left to navigate menstruation through misinformation and societal stigma.

“Every girl deserves to understand her body, access accurate menstrual health information and manage her period without shame or discrimination. Our responsibility goes beyond distributing sanitary products. We must also educate, create supportive spaces and give girls the confidence to speak up when something is wrong,” she said.

The course builds on the Foundation’s Dignity for Every Girl initiative, formerly known as Pad A Girl, which began in 2021 and has reached more than 2,000 girls with menstrual health education and sanitary support.

Through community outreaches, awareness campaigns and educational engagements, the initiative has consistently addressed period poverty while promoting menstrual dignity among girls in underserved communities.

The current programme represents an expansion of the Foundation’s intervention, moving beyond occasional awareness campaigns to structured learning, continuous engagement and knowledge assessment.

An additional component of the project is the Dignity for Every Girl Scholarship, designed to connect menstrual health education with educational opportunities for deserving girls.

The Foundation disclosed that participants who successfully complete the course and pass the required assessment will receive priority consideration for full scholarship support, while other deserving applicants may be considered for partial scholarships, subject to available resources.

The scholarship initiative also includes plans to provide menstrual hygiene supplies to girls in selected communities as part of efforts to reduce the financial barriers associated with accessing menstrual products.

The programme is facilitated by Okesola Temitope Adelani, a Public Health Scientist and Community Health Practitioner, whose professional background supports the delivery of practical and relevant health education.

Participants who successfully complete the course and pass the required assessment will also be eligible for certificates of completion.

Rhoda Serene Care Foundation is a registered Nigerian nonprofit organisation working across education, health, child protection, menstrual hygiene, mental health, youth development, social support and economic empowerment, with particular attention to children, girls, women, young people and persons living with disabilities.

The Foundation has called on parents, schools, healthcare professionals, development partners, media organisations and corporate institutions to support efforts towards improving menstrual health education and access to essential hygiene resources.

It maintained that creating a period-friendly society requires collective action, sustained education and an environment where girls can discuss their health without fear, shame or discrimination.