Teen pregnancy, girls’ education takes lead on Menstrual Hygiene Day

Teen pregnancy remains one of the most significant barriers preventing girls from completing their education. Early pregnancy often forces girls to drop out of school, limiting their future opportunities and perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.

Recognising this critical link, Beyond the Classroom Foundation (BTCF) marked this year’s Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day by educating girls on reproductive health and the vital importance of staying in school.

The highlight of the day was the launch of the ‘Books Over Boys’ booklet at Junior Secondary School (JSS) Durumi in Abuja. This comprehensive resource provides girls with accurate information about menstrual health, pregnancy prevention, and the importance of prioritising education over early relationships that can lead to teen pregnancy.

Since its launch, the booklet has reached over 10,000 girls across Abuja, empowering them with knowledge and practical advice to make informed choices. Speaking during the school tour, Founder and Executive Director, BTCF, Raquel Kasham Daniel, emphasised the critical need for education and open dialogue: “Menstruation is a natural part of life, but without the right education, it can lead to misinformation and risks such as early pregnancy. Through the
‘Books Over Boys’ booklet and the school tour, we are reaching girls with the facts, tools, and support they need to stay healthy and continue their education.”

Following the launch, the BTCF team visited several schools across the Abuja metropolitan area, including JSS Kuchingoro, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Karu, Government Secondary School (GSS) Life Camp, and JSS Lokogoma. At each school, the foundation engaged girls in interactive sessions focused on menstrual health management, reproductive education, and the essential link between menstruation, pregnancy prevention, and staying in school.

The school tour is part of the Beyond Her Odds Initiative, a project funded by the IGNITE Consortium, a collaboration between the Urgent Action Fund Africa (UAF-Africa), the Partnership for African Social and Governance Research (PASGR), the Rene Moawad Foundation, and the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

The initiative targets adolescent girls in underserved communities, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to overcome barriers such as early pregnancy and gender-based violence that hinder their educational progress.

Through innovative programmes like the He for Her Campaign and the Safer Girls project, Beyond Her Odds aims to create lasting change by empowering girls to stay in school, advocate for their rights, and build brighter futures.

Beyond the Classroom Foundation continues to work closely with schools, families, and community leaders to break the cycle of teen pregnancy and support girls’ educational attainment.

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