On June 26, 2025, history was made at the NSE Headquarters Auditorium in Abuja. Nigeria convened its first-ever Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) Summit, and at the heart of it was A Well-Informed Adolescent (AWA) Initiative—the youth-led, gender-forward organization that first imagined this moment years ago.
What started as a bold vision by AWA Initiative became a national convening that brought together over 350 participants, including government officials, development partners, youth advocates, academics, health experts, and grassroots voices. Under the theme “Empowering Lives, Breaking Barriers & Building Dignity,” the summit delivered on what AWA has always stood for: centering girls and young people in the fight for menstrual equity.
From the very first planning meeting to the last standing ovation, AWA Initiative played a critical role in conceptualizing, designing, and leading the summit alongside co-conveners Wonder Woman Nigeria and Alora Reusable Pads. But this was more than an event—it was the culmination of years of grassroots advocacy led by AWA Initiative across communities in Nigeria, and a powerful statement that periods matter, girls matter, and menstrual health is national business.
AWA Initiative’s founder, Sarah Kuponiyi, opened the summit with reflections on the journey: how the vision was sparked in 2023 and evolved into a full-fledged national movement by 2025. The summit featured technical sessions, policy panels, girl-led discussions, research presentations, partner exhibitions, and powerful calls to action—including commitments from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, UN agencies, and more.
AWA Initiative didn’t just host a summit—they ignited a movement.
The summit saw key outcomes, including:
- Federal government commitment to finalize and launch a National MHH Policy by Q4 2025.
- Pledges to integrate MHH into the national budget, education systems, and PHC infrastructure.
- National-level momentum for grassroots-led menstrual education and pad access.
For AWA Initiative, this summit is only the beginning. From community education to policy influence, the organization continues to lead with purpose, ensuring that no girl is left behind because of her period.
