Iwerekun Student Wins Writing Contest with Essay on Menstrual Stigma
Atume Terfa
A powerful story on menstrual health and the silence surrounding it has earned Nusaybah Abdul-Akeem, a student of Iwerekun Community Senior High School, in Lakowe, Ibeju-Lekki LGA the top prize at the 2025 HACEY Creative Writing Competition.
Her essay, titled “Menstrual Health Stigma: Breaking the Silence,” triumphed over hundreds of entries from secondary school students nationwide, winning praise for its authenticity, empathy, and bold message against societal taboos.
Nusaybah’s essay paints the journey of a young girl in a rural community where menstruation is treated with shame and secrecy. Through the intervention of a visiting aunt, the community gradually learns to replace stigma with understanding — a narrative that mirrors real struggles faced by many Nigerian girls.
Judges described her piece as “insightful and inspiring,” applauding its creativity and alignment with HACEY Health Initiative’s mission to promote gender equality, youth empowerment, and health education.
The annual HACEY Creative Writing Competition, held as part of the organisation’s Girls Summit, encourages young people to express ideas that challenge discrimination and inspire social progress. This year’s edition focused on menstrual health awareness, aiming to encourage open dialogue and eliminate myths that perpetuate inequality and exclusion.
According to HACEY, the competition received submissions from schools across Nigeria, reflecting a growing interest among young writers in using their voices to address public health and gender issues.
Nusaybah’s victory has sparked celebration at Iwerekun Community Senior High School, where teachers and classmates lauded her achievement as a milestone for the institution. Education advocates say her success highlights the importance of empowering students to think beyond classrooms and use storytelling as a tool for advocacy.
HACEY officials noted that winners of the competition would gain access to mentorship opportunities and join the organisation’s youth advocacy network, enabling them to contribute to campaigns on menstrual health, hygiene, and equality.
As Nigeria intensifies conversations around gender inclusion and youth development, stories like Nusaybah’s demonstrate how creativity can drive social change. Her triumph is not just a personal win — it’s a reminder that breaking silence through words can reshape attitudes, one story at a time.
