HER FLOW, HER DIGNITY
Date: 28 September 2026
Location: Maraba, Nigeria
Registered on Luma: 5
Attended: 6
Language: English
Beneficiaries Reached: More than 40 female students
Overview
The second Logos Circle Maraba meetup marked a significant transition from planning to direct community action.
Under the Winnable Issue, “Her Flow, Her Dignity,” the Circle organized a menstrual health education outreach aimed at providing girls with accurate, practical, and age-appropriate information about menstruation and menstrual hygiene.
The session focused on helping participants understand their menstrual cycle, recognize common menstrual problems, practice proper menstrual hygiene, use sanitary pads correctly, prevent leaks, safely dispose of used menstrual products, and understand why sanitary pads are generally more appropriate for menstrual protection than relying on tissue paper or improperly prepared rags.
The outreach also included a knowledge assessment, distribution of sanitary pads and Logos-branded notebooks, and interactive learning activities designed to encourage participation and reinforce the lessons taught.
Topics Discussed
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Understanding Menstruation
The session began with an educational discussion on menstruation, helping participants understand what menstruation is and why it occurs as a normal part of the female reproductive cycle.
Participants were educated on:
● What menstruation is.
● Why menstruation occurs.
● What to expect during a menstrual period.
● The importance of understanding and caring for their bodies during menstruation. -
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
Participants were introduced to the different phases of the menstrual cycle and the changes that occur throughout the cycle.
The session covered:
● Menstrual phase
● Follicular phase
● Ovulation
● Luteal phase
This helped participants understand that menstruation is one part of a larger reproductive cycle. -
Common Menstrual Problems
Participants learned about common menstrual problems and the importance of seeking appropriate support when symptoms are severe, unusual, or interfere with daily activities.
Topics discussed included:
● Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
● Heavy menstrual bleeding
● Irregular periods
● When menstrual symptoms may require medical attention -
Menstrual Hygiene
The session focused on practical menstrual hygiene practices that promote cleanliness, comfort, and overall wellbeing.
Participants were taught to:
● Change menstrual products regularly.
● Wash their hands before and after changing menstrual products.
● Keep the genital area clean and dry.
● Wear clean underwear.
● Use clean and appropriate menstrual products. -
Proper Pad Use and Preventing Leaks
Participants were taught how to use sanitary pads correctly and practical ways to reduce the risk of menstrual leaks.
This included:
● Properly positioning the pad on underwear.
● Changing pads regularly and when sufficiently saturated.
● Choosing an appropriate pad size and absorbency.
● Carrying spare pads when away from home.
● Ensuring the pad is properly secured to prevent shifting. -
Safe Disposal of Menstrual Products
Participants were educated on the importance of disposing of used sanitary pads safely and hygienically.
They were taught to:
● Wrap used pads properly before disposal.
● Dispose of them in an appropriate waste bin.
● Avoid flushing sanitary pads down the toilet.
● Wash their hands after handling and disposing of used menstrual products. -
Why Sanitary Pads Are Safer Than Tissue Paper or Improperly Prepared Rags
The session addressed the limitations of relying on tissue paper or improperly prepared rags for menstrual protection.
Participants learned that sanitary pads are specifically designed to absorb menstrual blood and provide reliable protection when used correctly. Tissue paper can tear apart, shift easily, and provide inadequate protection.
The session also clarified that reusable cloth can be used as a menstrual product when it is properly washed, thoroughly dried, and stored hygienically. However, poorly cleaned or damp materials may present hygiene concerns. -
Knowledge Assessment and Learning Incentive
A short quiz was conducted at the end of the menstrual health education session to assess the students’ understanding of the topics discussed.The quiz covered key areas including menstruation, the menstrual cycle, menstrual problems, menstrual hygiene, proper pad use, leak prevention, and safe disposal practices.
Students who answered the questions correctly were rewarded with small cash prizes. This was intended to encourage active participation, reinforce learning, and make the educational session more engaging and interactive. -
Distribution of Menstrual Hygiene Supplies and Educational Materials
To complement the menstrual health education, sanitary pads and Logos-branded notebooks were distributed to 40 female students who participated in the outreach.
The distribution provided participants with practical menstrual hygiene support while reinforcing the lessons on proper pad use, hygiene, and safe disposal.The initiative was strengthened through the support of Vision School, Maraba, and members of Logos Circle Maraba. Through this collective effort, the Circle was able to reach more than 40 students, exceeding the original target of 30 beneficiaries.
Partnerships That Made the Outreach Possible
The Circle successfully collaborated with:
● Vision School, Maraba — provided support and enabled access to the students.
● Logos Circle Maraba members — supported the planning, coordination, mobilization, and execution of the outreach.Community Impact
The response from the beneficiaries was highly positive.
More than 40 female students were reached through the outreach, with 40 students receiving sanitary pads and Logos-branded notebooks.For several students, the outreach provided an opportunity to learn about menstruation and menstrual hygiene in a supportive environment. The programme created a safe space for participants to ask questions, gain practical knowledge, and understand that menstruation is a normal biological process and not something to be ashamed of.
Beyond the educational component, the initiative provided practical menstrual hygiene resources to students and demonstrated the value of community-led interventions in addressing everyday health and wellbeing needs.
The turnout and engagement also highlighted the potential for continued menstrual health education and support within schools and underserved communities in Maraba.
Next Steps
The Circle has agreed that the impact of the outreach should continue beyond the event.-
Reflection, Evaluation and Planning
At the next meetup, Circle members will review what worked well during the outreach, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategies for future interventions.The Circle will also begin planning towards the next Winnable Issue, “Nourish Her, Nourish Them.”
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Nourish Her, Nourish Them
The next phase will place greater emphasis on health education and the provision of food support to underserved widows and/or orphans.The Circle plans to identify vulnerable widows and orphans within the community who could benefit from the initiative and explore partnerships and resources to support the intervention.
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Continued Community Engagement
The Circle will continue building relationships with schools, healthcare providers, community organizations, religious institutions, volunteers, and other local partners to strengthen and expand future community interventions.What We Learned
What Worked Well
● The Circle successfully transformed a Winnable Issue from an idea into a real community intervention.
● More than 40 female students were reached, significantly exceeding the original target of 30.
● There was strong collaboration between Logos Circle Maraba and Vision School.
● Circle members demonstrated strong ownership and commitment to the Winnable Issue.
● Beneficiaries were engaged throughout the programme and actively participated in the knowledge assessment.
● The quiz and small cash prizes encouraged active participation and learning.
● The distribution of sanitary pads and Logos-branded notebooks complemented the educational component of the outreach.Areas for Improvement
● Expand the provision of menstrual hygiene resources: Secure additional sanitary pads and educational materials ahead of future outreaches to accommodate a larger number of beneficiaries and provide continued menstrual hygiene support.
● Increase the reach of menstrual health education: Explore opportunities to engage more students, schools, parents, and teachers in future outreaches so that menstrual health and hygiene education can reach a wider community and encourage sustained awareness beyond the outreach.New Ideas
Based on the experience from this outreach, the Circle identified opportunities to:
● Develop a recurring menstrual health education programme in schools and communities, with sessions held periodically to reinforce knowledge and address emerging concerns.
● Create menstrual hygiene resource packs containing sanitary pads and educational materials for girls who may have difficulty accessing menstrual products.
● Expand menstrual health education beyond students by engaging teachers, parents, and other community stakeholders.
● Establish partnerships with organizations, businesses, and individuals to support the continuous provision of sanitary pads and other menstrual hygiene resources.
● Develop age-appropriate menstrual health educational materials that students can take home and use as reference materials after the outreach.
● Expand future outreaches to include reproductive health and puberty education, allowing students to learn about broader aspects of their health in a safe and age-appropriate environment.
Closing Remarks
Logos Circle Maraba #2 demonstrated what a community can accomplish when people are willing to turn ideas into action, even with limited resources.What began as a Winnable Issue aimed at supporting 30 students became an outreach that reached more than 40 students through the collective efforts of Circle members and Vision School.
The success of the initiative was measured not only by the number of beneficiaries reached, but also by the knowledge shared, the menstrual hygiene resources provided, the educational materials distributed, the active participation of the students, and the safe space created for conversations about menstrual health.
Most importantly, the outreach reinforced a simple message: menstruation is a normal biological process, and every girl deserves access to accurate information, appropriate menstrual hygiene resources, dignity, and support.
The work continues.
From identifying a problem to taking action. From a Winnable Issue to measurable impact. Logos Circle Maraba is building community, one action at a time. -