By Hosea Parah

Beth-Arbel Days for Girls Foundation, a Nigerian nonprofit founded by Amarah Grace Joseph, is expanding its community-based interventions to improve menstrual health, healthcare access, education and economic opportunities for women, girls and vulnerable populations.

The foundation on Monday in Abuja, said its programmes were designed to address challenges facing underserved communities, where limited access to healthcare, menstrual hygiene products, quality education and livelihood opportunities continues to affect the wellbeing and development of women and young people.

Through community outreach, health education, civic engagement and empowerment initiatives, the organisation is working to ensure that vulnerability does not determine the future of girls and young women.

Its activities cover menstrual health and hygiene, health literacy, education, entrepreneurship, economic empowerment, civic engagement and governance, agriculture and community development.

Over 1,000 Girls Reached Through Menstrual Health Programmes

Menstrual health education remains one of the foundation’s major areas of intervention, with more than 1,000 girls and young women reached through its programmes, according to its records.

The foundation has conducted school and community-based outreach activities to promote menstrual hygiene, provide accurate information about menstruation and support girls with reusable menstrual hygiene products.

One of its interventions took place in Godoji, within the Federal Capital Territory, where girls and young women received menstrual health education and reusable hygiene products.

The organisation said its approach went beyond distributing sanitary products to include practical guidance and awareness campaigns aimed at helping girls manage menstruation safely and confidently.

It noted that menstruation should not become a source of shame or prevent girls from participating in education and community activities.

The foundation also promotes reusable menstrual products as part of its sustainability approach, encouraging proper care and use to provide girls with a practical alternative to disposable products.

Foundation Promotes Community Health Literacy

Beyond menstrual health, Beth-Arbel Days for Girls Foundation is supporting community health education and preventive healthcare, particularly among women who face barriers to accessing basic health information and medical services.

In 2022, the organisation conducted a four-month health literacy programme in Godoji, Kuje Area Council, using English- and Hausa-language information, education and communication materials.

During the programme, 70 women underwent blood pressure and blood glucose screening.

The foundation’s records showed that 10 women had elevated blood glucose levels within the prediabetes range, while three had results within the diabetic range. One participant was already aware of her health status.

The findings underscored the importance of community-based screening in identifying potential health concerns and encouraging timely medical assessment and follow-up.

The organisation has also conducted free medical outreach programmes and distributed medicines as part of its efforts to improve access to basic health support.

Targets Girls’ Education and Economic Empowerment

The foundation said education remained central to its development agenda, noting that health challenges, financial difficulties and inadequate access to information could prevent vulnerable girls and young people from achieving their full potential.

Its educational activities include community sensitisation, health education and empowerment-focused engagement designed to complement formal learning and encourage personal development.

The organisation is also promoting entrepreneurship and economic empowerment, with emphasis on practical skills, self-reliance and opportunities that could improve the livelihoods of women and young people.

According to the foundation, sustainable development requires more than temporary assistance, stressing the need to equip beneficiaries with the knowledge and skills to improve their circumstances.

Agriculture is another area of interest, reflecting its potential to strengthen household resilience, food production and community livelihoods.

Implements Civic-Tech Project in Ebonyi

In the area of governance and civic participation, the foundation is implementing a project in Ebonyi State titled “Civic-Tech Forge: Empowering Girls on Governance in Ebonyi State,” with support from the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF).

The initiative seeks to equip girls with knowledge of governance and civic participation while exploring how technology can help them engage with public issues.

The foundation said the project reflected its commitment to ensuring that girls and young women were not only informed about their rights and responsibilities but also encouraged to contribute to decisions affecting their communities.

It added that civic education and technology could help strengthen youth participation and promote inclusive governance.

Seeks Partnerships for Wider Community Impact

The foundation said its programmes were guided by the understanding that lasting community development required a combination of immediate assistance, education, access to essential services and sustainable opportunities.

It called for stronger collaboration with government institutions, schools, healthcare professionals, development organisations, businesses, donors and community leaders to expand its interventions.

As it looks to the future, the organisation said it would focus on strengthening existing programmes, extending its reach and mobilising resources for measurable impact in underserved communities.

Beth-Arbel Days for Girls Foundation said its ultimate goal was to build communities where girls could manage their health with dignity, women could access information and economic opportunities, and young people could participate meaningfully in shaping their future.

The foundation welcomes partnerships and support from donors, development partners, public institutions, schools, healthcare professionals, corporate organisations and community stakeholders interested in advancing its programmes.