Period leave, a policy offering paid or unpaid leave for employees experiencing menstrual discomfort, is sparking a much-needed conversation. It's a policy rooted in both gender equality and social justice.

The world menstrual hygiene management day 2024 bears the theme #PeriodFriendlyWorld, and the 528 project considered it paramount to introduce a defiant approach to encourage dialogue amongst men in cognizance of the fact that stigma is perpetuated due to ignorance. For far too long, menstruation – a natural biological process for about half the population has been shrouded in stigma and silence. This silence spills over into the workplace, where women experiencing sometimes excruciating period symptoms often face a difficult choice: endure discomfort and reduced productivity, or power through in pain, potentially jeopardizing their health.

The 528 project this year, partnered with the Misters of Nigeria contest, a platform that prunes young men for international pageant competitions and challenged the contestants to a debate competition with topic; PERIOD LEAVE: A BOON OR BANE FOR GENDER EQUALITY.

Sixteen contestants participated in the competition. They include OTITOCHI KELVIN OKEZIE, SAMSON SUNDAY UKPONG, NWAJAGU CHINEMEREM SAMUEL, EBUKA ATUBA, SUNDAY CHARLES OCHE, ODII ROBERTSON CHUKWUEMEKA, OGBUOKIRI FAVOUR, NDEE PROSPER, HENRY IKENNA EZENNAYA, PIERCE CHIBUEZE MGBOKE, ONYENEKE CHIGOZIE DANIEL, OLUWATOBI EMMANUEL ADESANYA, OLORUNFEMI OLUWASEUN JOHN, BELEMA BAMSON CYRIL, BRIGHT BETHEL PEPPLE, EZE HENRY CHINECHEREM

The competition producing four winners from group D who won 150,000 naira cash prize. The winning group includes

1. ONDO — OLORUNFEMI OLUWASEUN JOHN

2. OYO — BELEMA BAMSON CYRIL

3. RIVERS — BRIGHT BETHEL PEPPLE

4. TARABA — EZE HENRY CHINECHEREM

The Best Speaker Odii Robertson won a brand new LG sound home theatre, award certificate and a public speaking book titled , ‘Mastering the Art of Presentation’ written by Victory Wilson. The Best Debater Bright Bethel Pepple won a gift box from Zikel Cosmetics, an award certificate and a public speaking book titled , ‘Mastering the Art of Presentation’ written by Victory Wilson.

The event which was organized and moderated by the founder of the 528 project, Violet Ejiata, held at Monty Suites, Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria, and was thoroughly judged by our esteemed panel of judges who are Dr. Edwin Eno (cofounder of Landshop limited), Mr George Adjete (UNFPA YPP Youth Coordinator), Barrister Ozuomba Ozumba-Mbadiwe (Ozee Mbadiwe), Barrister Oseloka Mbadiwe (Ocee Mbadiwe), Mrs Anthonia Ahanor (founder of Pageant Studio Africa), Victory Wilson.

The program ended with beautiful games like period related charades where the contestants challenged the bounds of masculinity for a more just and equitable world.

The 528 project is a menstrual equity advancement initiative addressing period poverty, we have facilitated the distribution of over 5,000 free sanitary pads since 2020 and we look forward to beating this number to distribute 1,000,000 pads by 2025. To partner with us or donate, please contact us on hellothe528project@gmail.com.