In the face of displacement and hardship, Zenith Bank Plc is restoring hope and dignity to vulnerable women and girls in Benue State through a life-changing intervention that addresses menstrual hygiene and sexual and gender-based violence, writes Omolabake Fasogbon
For thousands of women and girls living in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Benue State, daily life is defined by uncertainty. Having fled violence and insecurity, many now face the battle of coping with limited access to basic healthcare, menstrual hygiene products and protection from sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
In the midst of these challenges, a compassionate intervention by Zenith Bank Plc is helping to restore hope, dignity and confidence to some of Nigeria’s most vulnerable citizens.
In partnership with the Marymine Mother’s Care Initiative Network (MMCIN), Zenith Bank recently supported the launch of the “Protect the Dignity of Our Females” project, a programme designed to improve menstrual hygiene management while raising awareness about sexual and gender-based violence in IDP camps across Benue State
For many displaced women and girls, the absence of sanitary products and accurate reproductive health information affects their education, health, confidence and participation in community life. At the same time, overcrowded camp conditions expose many to heightened risks of abuse and exploitation.
By supporting this initiative, Zenith Bank is helping to ensure that women and girls not only receive essential menstrual hygiene materials but also gain the knowledge and confidence needed to protect themselves, speak out against abuse and access available support services. The intervention promotes dignity while creating safer spaces where women can begin to rebuild their lives.
The programme also demonstrates a broader understanding that true empowerment extends beyond financial inclusion. It requires investing in people’s well-being, protecting their rights and creating opportunities for them to live healthier and more secure lives.
For beneficiaries, the support goes beyond the distribution of hygiene products. Educational sessions on menstrual health help dispel long-held myths and misconceptions, while conversations around gender-based violence encourage survivors and those at risk to seek help without fear or stigma. Such awareness is critical in communities where silence often allows abuse to continue unchecked.
The initiative reflects Zenith Bank’s long-standing commitment to improving lives through strategic social investments.
Importantly, the Benue intervention aligns with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 on Good Health and Well-being, Goal 5 on Gender Equality and Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities. By addressing both health and protection concerns, the project contributes to building stronger, safer and more resilient communities.
Across Nigeria, millions of people remain displaced by conflict and insecurity. While governments and humanitarian agencies continue to provide essential support, partnerships with responsible private sector organisations have become increasingly important in bridging critical gaps. Zenith Bank’s collaboration with MMCIN illustrates how businesses can complement humanitarian efforts by delivering practical solutions that directly improve lives.
Every sanitary kit distributed, every awareness session conducted and every young girl empowered, restores confidence, preserves dignity and offers hope for a better future.
For the women and girls in Benue’s IDP camps, the intervention is a reminder that they have not been forgotten. It tells them that their health matters, their safety matters and their dreams still matter.
In extending a helping hand to those living through extraordinary hardship, Zenith Bank has demonstrated that compassion, when translated into meaningful action, can become a powerful force for healing, empowerment and lasting social change. Through initiatives such as “Protect the Dignity of Our Females,” the bank is not only supporting vulnerable communities—it is helping restore hope where it is needed most.
Over the years, the bank has consistently supported programmes in healthcare, education, youth development, environmental sustainability and community welfare, demonstrating that responsible corporate leadership involves creating lasting value beyond financial performance.
For instance, in April, the bank celebrated the Zenith Bank’s 2026 International Women’s Day seminar with the theme, “Take It, You Own It.”
In her welcome remarks at the event, the Group Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, spoke about intentionality as a commitment to ensuring that women are not merely included in the system, but empowered to shape it.
Umeoji said Zenith Bank remains deliberate about building environments where women are supported to grow, thrive, and shape outcomes, not only within our institution but across the communities and industries we serve. According to the Zenith Bank CEO, the annual International Women’s Day was an opportunity to pause, reflect, and recommit, “ourselves to the ideals of gender equity, empowerment, and inclusive progress.”
“But beyond that, it is also a practical reminder that progress does not happen by accident. It happens when people choose action over intention, outcomes over applause, and when there is a genuine commitment to delivering results. That is why we do not treat today as merely ceremonial. We see it as a platform for interaction, reflection, learning, and renewed commitment,” she had said.