Nigerian Girls Innovate Menstrual Health App at Global Summit

Five hearing-impaired secondary schoolgirls from Government Secondary School, Kuje, Abuja, emerged as global finalists at the 2026 Technovation Girls World Summit held in Bengaluru, India. The team, known as the STRIM Girls, developed an artificial intelligence-powered application called Saving Pad to enhance access to menstrual products.

The team members are Adegbile Teniola Vivian, Sulaiman Maryam Adenike Isah, Moses Joy, Ukpapi Theresa Uzepi, and Yusuf Ruth, and they were mentored by the Technology Beyond Disability Initiative. Their innovation helps students locate nearby sanitary pad banks, request menstrual products, and access menstrual health education, specifically addressing challenges faced by deaf girls and students with disabilities.

The application features an interactive map, a request system, period tracking, and monitoring tools for coordinators. In partnership with the Deaf Women Aloud Initiative, they launched a pilot program across three special schools in Abuja, with plans for broader expansion.

Upon returning to Nigeria, the girls were welcomed by Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Director-General and CEO of the Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.