Janefrances Chibuzor
In an interview with Berexnews from her base in Germany, Stéphannie Onyeche, the founder of She Inc., revealed how her grandparents’ legacy of compassion has inspired her non-profit’s mission to address period poverty in Nigeria. With over 30 million girls and women in the country unable to access sanitary products, She Inc. Is dedicated to providing free sanitary pads and panty liners to girls in schools and underserved communities, particularly focusing on teenage girls in Lagos, Nigeria.
“My grandparents didn’t just support those around them. They were beacons of compassion during one of Nigeria’s darkest times,” Onyeche began. “During the Nigerian Civil War, Chief B.O. Nnadi and Lady Juliana Nnadi opened their home to displaced people, turning it into a haven for those who had lost everything. They provided food, medicine, and shelter, but more importantly, they gave hope and dignity to people at their most vulnerable.”
Onyeche shared how this deep sense of responsibility toward others shaped her understanding of service. “Their example taught me that true support is not just about giving what’s easy, but about providing what’s necessary, even when it requires more effort, resources, and personal investment. This is the philosophy that drives She Inc. To be different.”
She Inc. Aims to address a need unique to women and often overlooked by traditional charity models, the inability to afford sanitary products. “Menstruation is not a choice, but how society responds to it is,” Onyeche stated. “Period poverty is not just about the lack of products; it is about the opportunities it takes away from girls and women. It is about the embarrassment, the missed school days, the health risks, and the stigma. She Inc. exists to break down these barriers and give women the tools they need to live without shame or fear of exclusion.”
The organisation distributes free sanitary pads and panty liners to girls in schools and communities across Lagos, Nigeria, on a monthly basis. “This is not just about providing products,” Onyeche emphasised. “It is about ensuring that education is not interrupted by something as natural as menstruation. By addressing this basic need, we are giving girls the chance to focus on their studies, pursue their dreams, and stand tall in their communities.”
For Onyeche, the mission is deeply personal. “Every time I distribute a sanitary pad or speak about period poverty, I am reminded of how my grandparents used their resources to make a real difference when it was needed the most,” she said. “Their sacrifices during the Civil War and their unwavering commitment to helping the displaced continue to inspire me.”
She Inc. Also aims to change the broader conversation around menstruation. “Our work is not just about charity; it is about creating awareness, educating communities, and breaking the silence surrounding menstruation,” Onyeche explained. “Through our programs, we aim to make period poverty a thing of the past and empower the girls and women of Nigeria to claim their future, free from the limitations of affordability.”
Despite the magnitude of the challenge, she remains optimistic. “I carry the weight of my grandparents’ legacy with every action we take,” she said. “Their compassion and dedication continue to guide me as we fight for the dignity and empowerment of Nigeria’s girls and women.”
While stressing the transformative power of collective action, Onyeche said: “My grandparents showed me that one family’s compassion can change lives. Imagine what we can achieve when we all work together. She Inc. Is more than an organisation. It is a movement to ensure that no girl is held back by something as natural as menstruation.”
With the work of She Inc. Onyeche is ensuring that her grandparents’ legacy lives on. Their commitment to service and humanity continues to inspire a new generation to fight for dignity, equality, and opportunity for all.
