About this project
PROJECT ABSTRACT: Solar Powered Eco-Friendly Menstrual Health System
The Solar Powered Eco Friendly Menstrual Health System by Nicholasmotivates Initiative is an innovative, youth led, climate resilient WASH solution designed to eliminate period poverty, reduce plastic pollution, and strengthen environmental sustainability in vulnerable communities across Nigeria. This project is a direct scale up of our flagship campaign, “Give Out a Pad, Save a Girl Child,” which has already reached over 34,000 beneficiaries through pad distribution, education, and menstrual advocacy in rural schools, IDP camps, correctional facilities, and disability centers.
Our project addresses the intersection of climate change, gender based vulnerability, and environmental degradation by introducing decentralized, solar powered hubs that manufacture biodegradable menstrual pads and offer inclusive WASH facilities. These hubs are designed to be self sustaining and community managed by trained local youth and women, promoting job creation, environmental stewardship, and gender equity.
The hubs will be equipped with:
• Solar-powered pad production units using compostable materials to replace conventional plastic pads.
• WASH compliant menstrual hygiene stations with clean water access, proper disposal systems, and disability inclusive features.
• Community education tools, including offline solar-powered digital content that promotes menstrual health, climate education, and gender based violence prevention.
• Plastic waste monitoring systems that track and report reductions in pollution caused by conventional menstrual products.
Through these innovations, the project tackles:
SDG 6 – by improving access to sanitation and hygiene services.
SDG 12 – by replacing plastic pads with biodegradable alternatives, fighting plastic pollution.
SDG 13 – by building climate-smart infrastructure powered by clean solar energy.
SDG 15 – by protecting local land and water ecosystems from waste contamination.
Disaster Risk Reduction: by providing resilient and decentralized health systems that remain operational during emergencies.
We also aim to raise public awareness through youth led clean up campaigns, art-based community events, and interactive climate education sessions, reinforcing behavioral change and climate consciousness among underserved populations.
By bridging WASH, climate justice, and gender equity, the Solar Powered Eco-Friendly Menstrual Health System offers a scalable, high-impact solution that transforms menstruation from a source of stigma and insecurity into a platform for empowerment and environmental action.
Goals and Objectives
The primary goal of the Solar Powered Eco Friendly Menstrual Health System is to eliminate period poverty and menstrual insecurity among vulnerable populations while promoting climate action, gender equity, and environmental sustainability.
Objectives include:
• Provide sustainable menstrual care by producing and distributing biodegradable pads through solar powered production units.
• Enhance WASH infrastructure by constructing clean, accessible menstrual hygiene stations in underserved schools, IDP camps, correctional centers, and disability homes.
• Promote climate resilience by reducing plastic waste associated with conventional menstrual products and adopting solar energy.
• Educate and empower communities with knowledge on menstrual hygiene, gender based violence prevention, and climate sustainability through youth led outreach and digital content.
• Foster youth leadership by training young women and girls as Menstrual Health Champions and eco advocates.
Intended beneficiaries include:
Girls and women in rural communities
Female inmates in correctional facilities
Internally displaced girls in IDP camps
Women and girls with disabilities
These groups were chosen because they are disproportionately affected by period poverty, limited WASH access, and climate vulnerability. The project empowers them with dignity, safety, education, and environmental awareness.
Sustainability and Scaling:
Local women and youth will be trained to manage the hubs, ensuring long term operation and ownership. Solar powered systems reduce recurring utility costs, and partnerships with local organizations and government stakeholders will integrate the model into broader health and climate frameworks.
The modular design of the system enables easy replication in other communities, making it scalable across Nigeria and beyond, particularly in regions facing similar WASH and climate related challenges.
This project presents an inclusive and climate smart solution that offers long lasting impact and a clear path to scale.
Expected result
The Solar Powered Eco Friendly Menstrual Health System aims to generate tangible, measurable outcomes that address period poverty, climate impact, and gender based vulnerability across Nigeria’s underserved communities.
1. Increased Access to Sustainable Menstrual Products
Result: At least 30,000 biodegradable sanitary pads produced and distributed within 6–12 months.
Measurement: Monitored through monthly production records, distribution logs, and beneficiary tracking.
Relevance: Improves menstrual hygiene, reduces infections, and replaces plastic-based pads.
Achievable: Using solar powered, low cost production units operated by trained locals.
Time bound: Targets will be tracked quarterly, with cumulative reporting at 6 and 12 months.
2. Improved Menstrual Hygiene Infrastructure and Behavior
Result: 6 WASH compliant menstrual hygiene stations constructed in public schools, IDP camps, and disability centers.
Measurement: Site inspection reports, usage records, and post installation surveys.
Relevance: Ensures privacy, dignity, and access to clean facilities for menstruating girls and women.
Achievable: Designed with local materials and solar-powered water purification units.
Time-bound: 100% facility functionality expected within the first 4–6 months of implementation.
3. Climate and Environmental Impact
Result: Reduce an estimated 2.5 tons of plastic waste from conventional pads through biodegradable alternatives.
Measurement: Waste audit tools and environmental tracking sheets.
Relevance: Aligns with SDGs 12 and 13 on responsible consumption and climate action.
Achievable: Based on average pad use and waste diversion per beneficiary.
Time bound: Tracked quarterly, with summary analysis at project close.
4. Empowerment and Education of Beneficiaries
Result: Reach 15,000 beneficiaries (girls, women, youth, and caregivers) with training on menstrual hygiene, gender based violence prevention, and climate education.
Measurement: Pre and post training assessments, attendance logs, and feedback forms.
Relevance: Enhances knowledge, reduces stigma, and fosters resilience.
Achievable: Delivered through workshops, peer led sessions, and digital content.
Time bound: Trainings will be conducted monthly with reporting every quarter.
5. Youth Engagement and Leadership Development
Result: Train 120 Menstrual Health Champions (ages 18–35) across 6 target communities.
Measurement: Training completion certificates, activity logs, and follow up impact surveys.
Relevance: Builds youth leadership and strengthens sustainability.
Achievable: Delivered through structured mentoring and capacity building sessions.
Time bound: Completed within the first 8 months, with sustained engagement thereafter.
These results will be tracked using a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework, supported by trained field staff and data tools. Regular progress reports will be generated and shared with stakeholders, ensuring transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
About me / organisation
Nicholason Ugwuanyi
The project is led by Ugwuanyi Nicholason Chiemelum, a 29 year-old social impact advocate, environmental sustainability enthusiast, and founder of the Nicholasmotivates Initiative. Nicholason has over six years of experience designing and implementing youth led, community centered programs across Nigeria, focusing on gender equity, climate justice, and access to basic health and hygiene.
He is deeply passionate about tackling period poverty, a drive that stems from a personal tragedy; the loss of his close friend Monica to sexual violence, stemming from menstrual vulnerability. This experience led to the birth of the “Give Out a Pad, Save a Girl Child” campaign, which has since reached over 34,000 beneficiaries across rural communities, schools, IDP camps, and correctional centers.
Nicholason holds a Higher National Diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology and is a fellow of global programs including LEAP Africa, Theirworld, and the Innocent Chukwuma Social Impact Fellowship. He has successfully mobilized grassroots efforts, led national advocacy campaigns, and coordinated multi-stakeholder interventions in WASH, climate, and gender development.
As project lead, he will oversee strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, impact monitoring, and overall execution. He is supported by a diverse team of youth volunteers, WASH specialists, community educators, and advisory board members, ensuring that the project remains inclusive, youth-led, and impact-driven.
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