In Plateau State, Nigeria, many girls face silent struggles tied to menstrual hygiene, self-worth, and access to information. Community Organizer Bathsheba Nerus turned her lived experience into a movement. Through Ubuntu.Lab, she launched Help Her: Menstrual Hygiene, a grassroots initiative building confidence, awareness, and practical skills for young girls. What began as a promise to herself has now become a lifeline for others.
Empowering Girls Through Dignity, Hygiene, and Voice
Bathsheba Nerus – Plateau State, Nigeria
Bathsheba Nerus is a passionate community organizer committed to equity, voice, and safe spaces for women and youth. Her work is rooted in her own story and driven by a call to collective accountability. “I am passionate about promoting citizen accountability, pushing for inclusive participation of youths and women through Community Strategic Advocacy, pushing for Community Buy-in and seeking Accountability to create a safe space for all,” she shares.
She joined the Ubuntu.Lab Transformative Programme in search of deeper tools and insights. “To gain more insights and knowledge as regards empowering young women and promoting sustainable community growth.” It was a space that didn’t just affirm her purpose—but strengthened it. One of her most powerful moments came not from a single event, but a pattern: “Whenever we have practical sessions and evaluations.”
Being part of a supportive hub helped crystallize her understanding of collective responsibility. “It helped me understand the struggle is for all and it opened my eyes to the relevance of teamwork.” That shared struggle brought new confidence. “I feel assured that I am not alone, I have people to run to for advice, suggestions and corrections.”
Bathsheba’s prototype, Help Her: Menstrual Hygiene, was born out of a pressing need. “The challenges of the community I reside in has been a bone on my neck since I relocated in 2023,” she says. Having lived those same challenges before, her motivation comes from a place of deep empathy. “It is important to me because I have once lived in such challenging situations, and it is something I have promised myself to help younger girls through with my guidance and best of my ability and capability.”
What began as a promise quickly became a growing initiative. “So far, I’ve been able to:
- Start a girls club
- Maintain biweekly sessions with 15 girls
- Identify community stakeholders
- Engage and empower the girls with confidence and communication skills.”
Looking ahead, her vision continues to expand. “I plan to:
- Make more contact with government stakeholders
- Organise a 3-month computer training for the girls
- Hold more sessions on topics covering the SDGs.”
To Bathsheba, this work is the fulfillment of something long held in her heart. “To be there for the young girls is a dream come true. I have delayed it for long because of fear, but this training did not allow the fear to suppress me.” Her final reflection captures the spark of the Ubuntu.Lab Institute Transformative Programme: “I am grateful for the way UbuntuLab Institute ignited in me the energy and skills to go about this journey.”
Bethsheba Nerus
Bathsheba Nerus is a dynamic Nigerian changemaker championing girls’ empowerment through menstrual health initiatives, grassroots advocacy, and supportive community spaces in Plateau State.