LAGOS – The female staff of May & Baker Nigeria Plc have marked International Women’s Day (IWD) with a call for stronger menstrual health education and mentorship for adolescent girls, declaring that empowering young women is essential to building a healthier and more equitable society. The outreach, held at Mur‑ tala Muhammed Secondary School in Lagos, combined mentorship sessions with practical health education un‑ der the theme, “Give to Gain.” Pupils received sanitary pads and hygiene kits, while health professionals delivered frank guidance on menstrual health and personal hygiene. Mrs. Sylvia Essien, Head of Human Capital Development at May & Baker Nigeria Plc, told the gathering that the initiative was designed to inspire confidence and equip girls with knowledge to make better life choices. “We are here to celebrate International Women’s Day with you because it is a special day celebrated across the world to recognise the achievements of women and encourage young girls like you to believe in your dreams and your potential,” Essien said. She explained that the theme, “Give to Gain,” underscored the importance of generosity and mentorship. “The theme simply means that when you give your best to others, you also gain some‑ thing greater in return. Hygiene And Health: Breaking the Silence Pharmacist Uche Olekanma, representing the company, emphasised the importance of adolescent girls understanding the changes in their bodies. “You are now adolescents, which means you are transitioning from childhood to adulthood. A lot of changes are taking place in your body, and you need to take care of yourself,” she said. Olekanma explained that menstruation is a natural part of growing up and should not be a source of fear or embarrassment. “Menstruation is a normal part of adulthood, and girls must learn to accept it and take care of themselves during that period. Maintaining good hygiene and using appropriate sanitary products are very important,” she stated. She advised the students to monitor their menstrual cycles and seek guidance from parents, teachers or health professionals whenever challenges arise. Building Confidence And Leadership Dr Sophia Abiri‑Franklin, Director at the Centre for Global Engagement, Non‑Government and Industry Partnerships at Caleb University, also addressed the pupils. She stressed that empowering girls early in life is vital to building confident women who will positively impact society. Abiri‑Franklin added, “We are here to empower these girls so that tomorrow they will grow into impactful women. When women support each other and lift one another, we rise together.” Wider Implications The initiative reflects a growing recognition among Nigerian corporate organisations that social responsibility must extend beyond token gestures to meaningful interventions. By tackling menstrual health, a subject often shrouded in stigma, the May & Baker women’s team has placed adolescent well‑being firmly on the agenda. In a country where many girls miss school due to a lack of access to sanitary products or adequate health education, the distribution of hygiene kits and candid discussions led by professionals mark a significant step towards dismantling barriers to education and equality. The programme also high‑ lights the role of mentorship in shaping aspirations. By encouraging girls to envision futures as doctors, engineers, lawyers and leaders, the outreach challenges entrenched stereotypes and underscores the transformative power of education. Mrs. Sandra Aduba, Corpo‑ rate Communications Manag‑ er at May & Baker Nigeria Plc, revealed that the initiative may be expanded into an annual pro‑ gramme aimed at strengthening awareness on girls’ health, confidence and leadership potential across schools. She noted that such expansion could become a cornerstone of adolescent health and empowerment nationwide.