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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: The Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Network has distributed menstrual pads to thousands of women and girls across schools and prison facilities in Monrovia, in observance of the International Day of Menstrual Hygiene and Management.
The initiative, aimed at improving menstrual health and hygiene, seeks to ensure that sanitary pads are accessible and affordable to women and girls at all times throughout the country.
The distribution commenced on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Christian Association of the Blind along the Robert International Airport (RIA) Highway, followed by Monrovia Central Prison on Tuesday, June 5, and climaxed on Thursday, June 12, at the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) in Central Monrovia.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mariah James, Assistant Lead for the SRHR Network, encouraged students to accept the donations with pride and to use them with dignity.
“This is our third year running this project, and we are proud to champion Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights,” said James. “We have been working tirelessly, visiting schools, prison facilities, underserved communities, and marketplaces to donate sanitary pads and ease the burden women and girls face in accessing menstrual products.”
James highlighted that financial hardship often forces women to resort to unsafe alternatives, such as cloth or paper, posing serious health risks.
She also acknowledged the instrumental efforts of Garmai Tailay Yarsiah, head of the SRHR Network and an alumna of AMEU, for her global advocacy to ensure that every woman and girl in Liberia has access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products.
“We are handing this supply over to the school so students can access it anytime with pride and dignity,” James concluded.
Receiving the donation on behalf of AMEU, Dr. Augurie Stevens, Vice President for Academic Support Services, expressed deep appreciation to the SRHR Network team.
“We especially want to thank Madam Garmai for remembering her alma mater,” said Dr. Stevens. “We assure you that the supplies will be used for their intended purpose.”
Dr. Stevens encouraged female students to take advantage of the free pads, emphasizing, “They are not for sale, but free of charge.”
Students welcomed the donation with gratitude. Evon Weedy, one of the female students, described it as a major relief.
“We often have to leave school when caught unaware by our periods,” said Weedy. “But with this help, that won’t be necessary anymore.”
Another student, Jocelyn Z. Johnson, praised the gesture as a meaningful contribution to women’s empowerment.
“Many of us miss classes during our menstrual periods because of a lack of pads. But with this initiative, we believe no female student will miss lessons again,” she said.
Students and faculty alike called on other organizations to follow the example of the SRHR Network in making menstrual hygiene products readily available to all women and girls across Liberia.
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