Foundation launches initiative to address girls' menstrual pain and FGM

Foundation de Christie has launched its 2026 campaign, 'Dignity Without Pain,' aimed at keeping girls in school by addressing menstrual pain through education and access to care. The initiative focuses on a critical barrier to education: pain that can stem from natural causes or from harmful practices like Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

Many girls suffer in silence or miss school due to lack of awareness about their bodies. Survivors of FGM often endure burning pain, infections, and long-term reproductive health complications. 'Pain is not a rite of passage, and silence is not strength,' said Christie Amida, Founder and Executive Director. 'When girls understand their bodies and the causes of their pain, they are empowered to seek help, protect their dignity, and stay in school.'

The campaign officially begins February 6, coinciding with the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation. Through school outreach and community advocacy, the foundation aims to ensure no girl's education is disrupted by preventable pain or misinformation.

What should we know about the barriers keeping girls from understanding their bodies, and how can communities ensure accurate information reaches those who need it most?

SOURCE: https://guardian.ng/news/foundation-launches-initiative-to-address-girls-menstrual-pain/