"Menstruation has long been stigmatized, and PadHer strives to eradicate these long-held beliefs and misconceptions in a small but decisive way." —Chika Nwaogu

PadHer is a women-led non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young African schoolgirls from underserved communities. 
We educate and mentor girls on periods, puberty, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) through engaging comic books and animations. Our goal is to help them manage their periods confidently and build the self-esteem they need to take charge of their future and succeed.
Every copy of our comic book comes with three free reusable sanitary pads to fight period poverty, one pair of underwear, and a unique period bracelet that helps girls track their menstrual cycle — so they can always be prepared with a pad in their school bag.
The first issue of our Girls Only comic book series, titled “First Period,” is currently available in English, French, Arabic, Swahili, Zulu, Amharic, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, Luganda, Xhosa, Somali, Shona, Sesotho, and Oromo.
We’re actively working to translate it into 15 more languages by mid-2025, because we believe reaching more girls starts with speaking their language — and this is a powerful step in that direction.

Our Core Values

Our core values are based on the acronym P.E.R.I.O.D

P

Providing free sanitary pads to young schoolgirls and ensuring they are easily accessible.

E

Educating and mentoring young African schoolgirls on periods, puberty, and sexual and reproductive health and rights in the most innovative way.

R

Raising awareness about the importance of menstrual hygiene for young schoolgirls.

I

Instilling the self-confidence young schoolgirls need to succeed in the future.

O

Obliterating period poverty in Africa.

D

Dispelling long-held myths and misconceptions about periods.

The Team

How Does PadHer Stay Sustainable?

PadHer operates as a social enterprise, using innovation and technology to tackle period-related challenges that affect the productivity and well-being of women and girls in society.

One of PadHer’s innovations includes a wearable, drug-free TENS device designed to provide instant period pain relief with no side effects. The profits from selling these devices are reinvested into the mission of fighting period poverty across Africa.

PadHer also manufactures and sells high-quality, affordable reusable sanitary pads. For every pad sold, one is donated to a young African schoolgirl who cannot afford menstrual products — helping to keep her in school and confident during her period.

To make period education inclusive, PadHer follows a similar give-back model with its comic books. For every comic book sold, another is donated to a girl in an underserved community.

To learn more or support our work, visit PadHer.com.

Join the Movement to End Period Stigma

PadHer is a women-led non-profit organization on a mission to change the narrative and end the stigma surrounding periods.

We’re currently looking for passionate Educators and Mentors to help teach and inspire young schoolgirls — equipping them with the knowledge and confidence they need to manage their periods and take charge of their futures.

If you believe you’re a great fit for this impactful work, click here to get started.

“Young girls should be educated about periods before they start menstruating. Without that knowledge, their first experience can be confusing or even frightening.” 
—Chika Nwaogu

We are a team of bold visionaries and changemakers, fiercely committed to gender equality and empowering young girls with confidence. We are doing ordinary things in extraordinary ways.

“I met a woman in Nairobi who shared a powerful story with me. She got her first period at just eight years old but never told her parents because she thought something was wrong with her. She didn’t know what it was—and out of fear of being judged, she kept it to herself.

For years, she managed her periods using cotton, only learning about sanitary pads when they were handed out at school to girls who had started menstruating. Unsure if what she was experiencing was truly a period due to its irregularity, she took the pads anyway—still convinced she had a problem. The shame and confusion led her to change schools, just to hide her experience from her friends.

Her story opened my eyes to how crucial period education is. Too many young girls still face similar fears, confusion, and stigma. Her experience became the inspiration behind PadHer—because no girl should ever feel ashamed of her period or go through it alone.”

says Chika Nwaogu, PadHer’s founder.

Periods should NEVER stop her. 
Periods should NEVER limit her. 
Periods should NEVER put her at risk. 
Periods should NEVER steal her confidence!

At PadHer, we see an Africa where our young girls are secure in their future, have the freedom to choose their path, and live the life they desire.

VISION

To build an Africa free from period poverty, where every girl can manage her periods with dignity and confidence.

MISSION

To provide innovative ways to educate and mentor young African schoolgirls in underserved communities on periods, puberty, and sexual and reproductive health and rights—while ensuring free and accessible sanitary pads for all.

OUR APPROACH

At PadHer, we take a holistic approach to support young African schoolgirls in underserved communities by:

Bringing menstrual and sexual health to life through fun animations, comic books, and interactive workshops!

PadHer is leading the way in innovative menstrual and SRHR education. Through a unique blend of comic books, animation, and interactive workshops, we’re revolutionizing how young girls, especially in underserved communities, learn about these essential topics.

Making sanitary pads free and easy to access for every girl!

In underserved communities, financial challenges often make sanitary products inaccessible. To help, PadHer provides young schoolgirls with three free reusable sanitary pads, along with education and mentorship on menstrual health. We’re offering two years of period protection, plus a free pair of underwear with each set of pads!

Raising menstrual awareness with the power of Period Bracelets!

We’re raising menstrual awareness with period bracelets that help break the stigma. Young schoolgirls wear them proudly to show they’re confident about their cycles. The bracelets also serve as a tool to track their periods, ensuring they’re always prepared with a pad in their school bag.

With PadHer, young girls gain free access to menstrual and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) education—an essential part of a well-rounded education that empowers them to make informed choices in a world where HIV/AIDS, STIs, early teenage pregnancies, and gender-based violence continue to threaten their well-being.