Giving Brings Joy and Purpose, Says Deborah Davidson

As Nigeria marks International Women's Day 2026 with the theme 'Give to Gain', an Abuja-based initiative is demonstrating the transformative power of simple acts of generosity. Deborah Davidson, the founder of the Deborah Davidson Foundation, articulated her mission to restore dignity to individuals lacking essential support.

Davidson's personal journey provides a compelling illustration of this theme. Operating in Abuja and parts of Kogi State, her foundation has been actively supporting women through annual food distributions and, more recently, a menstrual health awareness program for young girls.

She attributes her philanthropic drive to her upbringing, stating, "I grew up in a home where I never lacked food. My parents ensured I had the basic necessities, particularly as their only daughter. This experience made me realize the immense privilege that consistent care and provision represent."

As her awareness of the community grew, she observed significant disparities. Numerous women faced daily struggles to provide for their families, and many young girls lacked access to fundamental sanitary products.

"Witnessing this disparity deeply affected me," she shared. "I felt compelled to become a source of assistance and dignity for women and girls who might not have a support system."

This aspiration inspired her focus on food distribution and menstrual hygiene initiatives – two areas she identifies as crucial yet often overlooked.

"When a woman lacks adequate food, her challenges multiply. Similarly, when a girl cannot afford sanitary pads, it impacts her health, self-esteem, and potentially her education," Davidson explained.

While the foundation regularly distributes food, the 'Pad a Girl Child' campaign was specifically organized to commemorate the foundation's fifth anniversary, aiming for a practical and impactful celebration.

"I wanted the anniversary to be more than just a ceremony; I aimed for tangible impact," she said.

During the 'Pad a Girl Child' drive, conducted across Abuja and Kogi State, Davidson and her team engaged young girls in discussions about menstrual hygiene, the correct use of sanitary products, maintaining cleanliness, and safe disposal methods. The sessions were interactive, encouraging open dialogue and questions from the participants.

A particularly striking revelation from the outreach was that some girls resorted to using pieces of cloth during their menstrual cycles due to the unaffordability of sanitary pads.

"It was disheartening," she remarked. "While many were informed about menstrual hygiene, the lack of access to proper sanitary products was a significant barrier. This underscores the ongoing need for our support and educational efforts."

Despite growing awareness, Davidson believes there is still substantial ground to cover.

When questioned about the persistent challenges many women face in accessing basic necessities like food and sanitary items, she pointed directly to economic hardship.

"The primary driver is poverty," she asserted. "Poverty is one of the most significant inhibitors of opportunity."

She elaborated that poverty forces families to prioritize immediate survival needs. In situations of food scarcity, items like sanitary pads are often viewed as secondary, despite their essential nature.

"Poverty not only depletes financial resources," she added. "It erodes comfort, dignity, time, and hope. Consequently, some fundamental needs are often perceived as luxuries."

Despite confronting harsh realities, the gratitude expressed by beneficiaries provides her with continuous motivation.

"They were genuinely overjoyed," she recounted, referring to both the food distribution and menstrual health initiatives. "The smiles, the prayers, and their appreciation were profoundly meaningful to me."

For Davidson, these responses serve as clear evidence of the positive impact of giving.

She emphasized that food assistance offers more than just physical sustenance, crucially reducing stress levels.

"With a secure food supply, a woman can think more clearly," she explained. "She can better attend to her family's needs, free from the constant anxiety about the next meal."

Furthermore, she believes that education on menstrual health significantly boosts girls' self-perception.

"Many girls experience shame associated with their periods," Davidson noted. "Providing them with knowledge and access to proper sanitary items enhances their confidence."

In her view, the initiative extends beyond mere distribution of goods.

"It's about offering peace of mind," she stated. "It's about helping them live without undue fear or shame."

Sustaining these charitable efforts, however, presents ongoing difficulties, with funding being the most significant hurdle.

"I have a well-defined vision for the foundation," she said. "I understand the potential for greater impact, but limited funding restricts our reach."

Costs associated with transportation, bulk purchasing of supplies, expanding outreach to new communities, and coordinating volunteers all necessitate financial resources. The process of initiating outreach programs from scratch can also be demanding.

"At times, the enthusiasm and the availability of willing individuals are present, but the financial backing is insufficient," she admitted.

Nevertheless, she maintains that the responsibility for support should not fall solely on government bodies or large corporations.

"I believe individuals also have a role to play," she urged. "Even small contributions from many people collectively make a substantial difference."

She highlighted that individuals within communities often possess a deeper understanding of local needs and can respond more swiftly.

"True impact is achieved when everyone participates," she declared. "Every individual has something valuable to contribute."

Davidson shared that this philanthropic work has also been a personal transformative experience.

"Before embarking on this path, I assumed giving required substantial wealth," she reflected. "However, I've learned that generosity begins with compassion. Even with limited resources, one can still share."

She recalled instances where women held her hands after receiving food items and offered earnest prayers for her well-being.

"Those prayers resonate with me deeply," she said softly. "They serve as a reminder of the potent force of kindness."

Davidson further noted that witnessing the joy of young girls during the menstrual health outreach reignited her determination.

"One girl confided that she feared her period due to a lack of understanding," she shared. "After our session, she expressed feeling more at ease. That sentiment deeply moved me."

For Davidson, these moments represent the most significant rewards.

"While I may not be able to transform the entire nation," she stated, "ensuring that even one woman sleeps without hunger or one girl attends school without shame makes the endeavor worthwhile."

She is optimistic that more Nigerians are prepared to offer assistance if they fully grasp the need.

"Sometimes people are willing to help but are unsure where to begin," she observed. "The key is to start small, perhaps by assisting one individual. That's how meaningful change originates."

This conviction helps her maintain perseverance, even amid resource constraints.

"Over the past six years, I've managed to reach individuals in four different locations," she reported. "Wherever I find myself, I strive to support someone, regardless of how modest my contribution may seem."

Looking ahead, she intends to expand the foundation's activities, aiming to increase the frequency of food drives and establish the 'Pad a Girl Child' initiative as an annual program.

"The ultimate goal is to extend our reach to more communities across Nigeria," she stated.

She extended an invitation to individuals and organizations to collaborate with the foundation through volunteering, sponsoring programs, donating food or sanitary products, or engaging in joint community projects.

As Nigeria approaches International Women’s Day 2026, her narrative powerfully illustrates the profound implications of the 'Give to Gain' theme. Sharing food empowers women, providing sanitary products restores dignity to girls, and individual acts of kindness foster hope within communities.

Davidson's work highlights a prevalent issue in Nigeria, where statistics indicate that millions of women and girls struggle with affordability of menstrual products, a phenomenon known as period poverty.

Many girls are forced to miss school monthly due to the inability to purchase sanitary pads, the cost of which can be substantial. This situation often leads them to use unhygienic alternatives.

For Davidson, the motivation for her giving is not recognition.

"When we give, we gain joy and a sense of purpose," she affirmed. "We gain the profound satisfaction of knowing that someone's life has been improved because we showed we cared."

In an era marked by economic challenges and societal issues, her message resonates with simplicity: significant change doesn't always necessitate large budgets or extensive government programs. Often, it begins with a single individual's decision to acknowledge and address another's fundamental needs.

And from that initial act of giving, something immeasurably valuable is gained.