AHF Nigeria, Nasarawa Govt Push to End Period Poverty, Menstrual Discrimination
Chinedum Treasure
Health stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration and increased investment in menstrual hygiene support for girls, stressing the need to end stigma and ensure every girl manages menstruation with dignity and confidence.
They made the call during activities marking the 2026 World Menstrual Health Day in Keffi, Nasarawa State organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria in partnership with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services.
The event brought together government officials, educators, health workers, civil society groups, and students for awareness campaigns, advocacy sessions, and distribution of sanitary pads aimed at promoting menstrual health and hygiene among young girls.
Participants emphasized that menstruation should no longer be treated as a taboo subject, noting that millions of girls still face discrimination, poor hygiene facilities, and lack of access to sanitary products.
AHF Nigeria disclosed that nearly 500 million people globally continue to experience period poverty, limiting their ability to access safe menstrual products and proper hygiene support.
Speaking during the programme, Halima Aliyu Omaku, Gender Focal Person at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, described the initiative as timely and impactful.
According to her, many women and girls still lack adequate information about menstrual health and continue to suffer stigma and discrimination because of harmful societal perceptions.
“It is a privilege to be part of the 2026 menstrual health, stigma and hygiene campaign. This programme provides enlightenment and education on issues many people still struggle to discuss openly.
“We still have a lot of work to do in changing harmful norms and perceptions around menstruation,” she said.
Omaku urged participants to become advocates for menstrual health awareness within their schools and communities, adding that she also learned more practical lessons on hygiene and proper sanitary pad disposal.
She pledged to replicate the knowledge through step-down training sessions at the ministry and grassroots level.
She further stressed the importance of educating boys to better understand and support girls during menstruation. “You are lucky to have this opportunity. In our time, we didn’t have it. Use it wisely and contribute positively to society,” she told the students.
Also speaking, Safiya Ibrahim Yahuzu, Gender and Human Rights Focal Person at the Nasarawa State AIDS Control Agency (NASACA), said many students benefited from sessions on menstruation, menstrual cramps, hygiene practices, and common misconceptions.
She noted that some participants were learning proper menstrual hygiene for the first time and called for sustained awareness campaigns in schools. “Hygiene is necessary for young girls at all times. You must learn to keep yourselves clean during your period,” Yahuzu said.
Angelina Kigbu of the Education Area Office, Keffi, commended the initiative and called for greater government involvement in menstrual health programmes.
She disclosed plans to establish a school club where girls would be trained to produce reusable sanitary pads, describing them as affordable and sustainable alternatives for students who cannot afford disposable products. “If they can make reusable pads themselves, they can teach others and expand awareness because many girls are not aware this is possible,” Kigbu said.
Students who participated in the programme also called for practical support from government and development partners.
Victoria Samson, 15, appealed for improved toilet facilities and free sanitary pads in schools, while Catherine Ogogi, 16, advocated stronger campaigns against menstrual myths and better access to emergency sanitary products.
Providing practical guidance, Deborah Samuel Mamman of AHF Nigeria advised girls to change sanitary pads every six to eight hours, wash their hands before and after handling menstrual materials, and maintain proper hygiene practices.
Dr. Sunday Emmanuel, an ART clinician with AHF Nigeria, said the campaign was part of efforts to equip young people with accurate information on menstrual health and reproductive wellbeing.
He urged government agencies, schools, and community leaders to sustain awareness campaigns through media engagements, community outreach, and school programmes.
The event ended with renewed calls for coordinated action among government, schools, and civil society groups to ensure girls can manage menstruation safely, confidently, and with dignity.
AHF Nigeria, Nasarawa Govt Push to End Period Poverty, Menstrual Discrimination
Chinedum Treasure
Health stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration and increased investment in menstrual hygiene support for girls, stressing the need to end stigma and ensure every girl manages menstruation with dignity and confidence.
They made the call during activities marking the 2026 World Menstrual Health Day in Keffi, Nasarawa State organized by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria in partnership with the State Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services.
The event brought together government officials, educators, health workers, civil society groups, and students for awareness campaigns, advocacy sessions, and distribution of sanitary pads aimed at promoting menstrual health and hygiene among young girls.
Participants emphasized that menstruation should no longer be treated as a taboo subject, noting that millions of girls still face discrimination, poor hygiene facilities, and lack of access to sanitary products.
AHF Nigeria disclosed that nearly 500 million people globally continue to experience period poverty, limiting their ability to access safe menstrual products and proper hygiene support.
Speaking during the programme, Halima Aliyu Omaku, Gender Focal Person at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, described the initiative as timely and impactful.
According to her, many women and girls still lack adequate information about menstrual health and continue to suffer stigma and discrimination because of harmful societal perceptions.
“It is a privilege to be part of the 2026 menstrual health, stigma and hygiene campaign. This programme provides enlightenment and education on issues many people still struggle to discuss openly.
“We still have a lot of work to do in changing harmful norms and perceptions around menstruation,” she said.
Omaku urged participants to become advocates for menstrual health awareness within their schools and communities, adding that she also learned more practical lessons on hygiene and proper sanitary pad disposal.
She pledged to replicate the knowledge through step-down training sessions at the ministry and grassroots level.
She further stressed the importance of educating boys to better understand and support girls during menstruation. “You are lucky to have this opportunity. In our time, we didn’t have it. Use it wisely and contribute positively to society,” she told the students.
Also speaking, Safiya Ibrahim Yahuzu, Gender and Human Rights Focal Person at the Nasarawa State AIDS Control Agency (NASACA), said many students benefited from sessions on menstruation, menstrual cramps, hygiene practices, and common misconceptions.
She noted that some participants were learning proper menstrual hygiene for the first time and called for sustained awareness campaigns in schools. “Hygiene is necessary for young girls at all times. You must learn to keep yourselves clean during your period,” Yahuzu said.
Angelina Kigbu of the Education Area Office, Keffi, commended the initiative and called for greater government involvement in menstrual health programmes.
She disclosed plans to establish a school club where girls would be trained to produce reusable sanitary pads, describing them as affordable and sustainable alternatives for students who cannot afford disposable products. “If they can make reusable pads themselves, they can teach others and expand awareness because many girls are not aware this is possible,” Kigbu said.
Students who participated in the programme also called for practical support from government and development partners.
Victoria Samson, 15, appealed for improved toilet facilities and free sanitary pads in schools, while Catherine Ogogi, 16, advocated stronger campaigns against menstrual myths and better access to emergency sanitary products.
Providing practical guidance, Deborah Samuel Mamman of AHF Nigeria advised girls to change sanitary pads every six to eight hours, wash their hands before and after handling menstrual materials, and maintain proper hygiene practices.
Dr. Sunday Emmanuel, an ART clinician with AHF Nigeria, said the campaign was part of efforts to equip young people with accurate information on menstrual health and reproductive wellbeing.
He urged government agencies, schools, and community leaders to sustain awareness campaigns through media engagements, community outreach, and school programmes.
The event ended with renewed calls for coordinated action among government, schools, and civil society groups to ensure girls can manage menstruation safely, confidently, and with dignity.
