"PadHer makes it easy and fun to teach young African girls about periods and puberty through comic books..." —HundrED.org

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, animations, and digital interactive learning games. Our goal is to help girls manage their periods confidently while building the self-esteem they need to take charge of their future and succeed.

Every copy of our free Girls Only comic book comes with three reusable sanitary pads to fight period poverty, a pair of underwear, and a unique period bracelet that helps girls track their menstrual cycle so they are always prepared with a pad in their school bag.

The first issue of the 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 believe that reaching more girls starts with speaking their language, and this is a powerful step in that direction.

Ending period stigma, however, also requires educating boys, too. This is why we created Boys Too, a complementary comic book that helps boys understand periods, empathy, and respect. By engaging boys as allies, PadHer helps create safer, more supportive school environments where girls can manage their periods without fear or shame. At the moment, Boys Too is available in English and French.

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.

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

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.

The “why” behind my work started in 2019, when my daughter, Atarah, was born. I assumed I would be the one teaching her about life, but instead, she changed my purpose. Becoming a father opened my eyes to the world a young girl grows into, one filled with inequalities I had never truly noticed. 

It began in 2020, during the pandemic, when I watched a news report about girls in rural Kenya struggling to access sanitary pads. Something shifted in me, and I couldn’t stop thinking, “If this is the world my daughter will grow up in, what am I doing about it?” That question sparked my journey into menstrual health. 

I soon realized I knew almost nothing about periods, which was concerning. Even more concerning was that, like many men, I knew so little about something that affects nearly half the world’s population, despite growing up with a sister. I was clearly part of the problem, so I chose to educate myself. I studied International Women’s Health and Human Rights at Stanford, where I learned how deeply menstrual stigma undermines girls’ confidence, safety, and education. 

One thing stood out: many interventions were outdated and uninspiring. The education felt dry, clinical, or shame-based. As an illustrator and storyteller, I saw a gap and an opportunity. What if menstrual and sexual health education were fun, exciting, and something girls looked forward to? Because learning that is enjoyable stays with you. What children learn playfully, they rarely forget, and this became PadHer’s foundation. 

We created comic books in multiple African languages, animations, and interactive workshops that turn sensitive topics into empowering conversations. When we paired this with free access to reusable pads and strong community partnerships, something powerful happened: girls became more confident. They stayed in school, and they taught their friends. 

So my “why” is simple. I want a world where my daughter and every girl never has to compromise her dignity because of her period. A world where confidence replaces shame and knowledge replaces fear. That belief drives every part of my work

Chika Nwaogu, PadHer’s founder.

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 innovative mediums and interactive workshops!

PadHer is leading the way in innovative menstrual and SRHR education. Through a unique blend of comic books, animations, comic games, 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.