By Kelvin Obambon
PadBank Mobile Outreach on Tuesday November 25 joined the global community in marking the commencement of the 2025 International 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, highlighting the critical and often overlooked link between menstrual poverty and vulnerability to exploitation.
The initiative, committed to ending menstrual poverty and empowering the girl child, argues that gender-based violence (GBV) extends beyond physical harm to include “structural, cultural, and economic barriers” that limit a girl’s dignity and opportunities.
According to the organization, menstrual inequality represents a silent but devastating barrier, exposing thousands of girls to shame, stigma, and educational disadvantages.
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A press statement released by PadBank noted that in many underserved communities across Cross River State, girls face discrimination and emotional abuse due to the inability to access sanitary pads. This forces some into “unsafe alternatives” or “risky coping mechanisms,” leaving them highly vulnerable to various forms of gender-based violence and exploitation.
PadBank Mobile Outreach connected its core mission directly to this year’s global theme, “UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women & Girls.” The organization asserts that access to menstrual products is a fundamental right, and that providing pads, alongside education and psychosocial support, constitutes a crucial investment in the safety and dignity of young girls.
To drive this message home during the 16-day campaign, PadBank Mobile Outreach reaffirmed its commitment to several key actions: reaching girls in rural and hard-to-reach communities; providing safe menstrual health education and empowerment; and creating safe spaces for girls to speak, learn, and grow.
Issuing a collective call to action, Founder and Coordinator of PadBank Mobile Outreach, Archibong Bassey, said “Ending gender-based violence is a collective responsibility, and every act of support brings us one step closer to a safer world for women and girls.”
“We call on government agencies, NGOs, faith leaders, community stakeholders, and well-meaning individuals to join us in this movement. PadBank remains committed to breaking the silence, ending the stigma, and ensuring that no girl is left behind because of her period,” she added.
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence runs annually from November 25th (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) to December 10th (Human Rights Day).
