Child protection
Hands Off Our Girls
Community advocacy against child marriage and sexual and gender-based violence.
Explore the campaignMenstrual health and education
Free Sanitary Pads Initiative
The First Lady’s free sanitary pads programme helps schoolgirls access menstrual products and opens conversations about menstruation at school.
Explore the storyWhy the programme exists
The Office links the programme to a practical concern for pupils who lack access to menstrual products. Supplying pads and talking openly about menstruation are intended to reduce barriers to school participation. The Office describes the distribution work as part of Hands Off Our Girls.
From school visits to the 2022 launch
- January 2021
The Office reported distributions at Lady Patricia Kabba Secondary School, Services Secondary School and Vine Memorial Secondary School in Freetown. During the visits, the First Lady encouraged pupils to speak about menstruation without shame.
Read the Freetown distribution report - 2 June 2022
President Julius Maada Bio formally launched the 2022 distribution campaign in Freetown. The President and the First Lady distributed pads to secondary school pupils attending the event.
Read the official launch report
The distribution campaign launch
Original report and photosDocumented district visits
The Office recorded visits to Kenema and Kailahun on 24 January 2025, and to Port Loko on 4 February 2025. A March 2025 report describes a distribution in Kono. In several of these visits, the Office also reported distributing shoes to pupils.
Distribution in Kailahun
Original report and photosMore documented visits · 3 photographs
Distribution in Kono
Original report and photosExplore more initiatives
All initiatives
Health care and survivor support
34 Military Hospital Expansion
The First Lady’s advocacy for a 600-bed complex and a dedicated Centre of Excellence in Freetown.
Explore the expansion