Women and girls living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State received support and encouragement when a journalist, Palang Kasmi, celebrated her 51st birthday by providing sanitary pads and menstrual hygiene training for them.
The humanitarian outreach, held on March 13, 2026, was organised to commemorate International Women’s Day under the theme “Give to Gain.”
The event took place at Rescue Force Ministry International in Bokkos and brought together humanitarian organisations, journalists and community leaders.
Kasmi explained that her decision to celebrate her birthday in the camp was inspired by her experiences as a journalist covering humanitarian issues.
According to her, years of reporting on displaced communities exposed her to the difficulties women and girls face, particularly in accessing basic menstrual hygiene materials.
“Instead of the usual birthday celebration, I decided to mobilise support and bring sanitary pads to women here so they can maintain proper hygiene during their menstrual period,” she said.
As part of the intervention, sanitary pads were distributed to displaced women and girls, while 100 beneficiaries also received training on menstrual hygiene and the production of reusable sanitary pads.
The practical training session was facilitated by the Plateau State Chapter of the Trefoil Guild, with participants encouraged to teach others and use the skill as a means of economic empowerment.
Chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Plateau State Council, Ayuku Pwaspo, commended Kasmi for the gesture, describing it as a demonstration that journalists can contribute to solving societal problems.
She noted that the initiative highlights the need for more attention to the plight of displaced women and girls in the state.
The Founder of the Unique Centre for Trauma Healing and Peace Building, Zakka Mugu, who delivered a talk titled “Promoting Resilience Among Women and Girls in IDP Camps,” urged the displaced women to remain hopeful despite their challenges.
He explained that many displaced persons are still dealing with trauma from the loss of loved ones, homes and livelihoods, and encouraged them to focus on rebuilding their lives.
Other organisations present, including the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), the Nigerian Red Cross Society, the Women and Girl-Child Rescue Development Initiative and Stand Up for Women Societies, also praised the initiative.
They described the outreach as a compassionate gesture that restored dignity and hope to women living in difficult circumstances.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support and the opportunity to learn how to make reusable sanitary pads, saying the knowledge would help them maintain proper hygiene and reduce the cost of menstrual care.
Kasmi said the outreach is part of the “iPadAGirl Initiative,”a campaign aimed at improving menstrual hygiene among displaced women and girls.She added that plans are underway to extend similar interventions to other IDP camps across Plateau State.
According to her, collective support from individuals, organisations and government agencies will be necessary to improve the living conditions of displaced persons and restore their dignity.
