Abuja, Nigeria: The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to combating period poverty in Nigeria by supporting the local manufacture of affordable sanitary pads and advocating for menstrual-friendly policies in schools and public institutions.
Speaking at an event in Abuja to mark Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day, the Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulieman-Ibrahim, emphasized the government’s resolve to address the challenges surrounding menstrual health. Represented by Mrs. Gloria Michael, Assistant Chief Executive Officer at the Ministry’s Health Desk, the Minister described menstruation as a human rights issue that requires more than awareness campaigns.
“Millions of Nigerian girls continue to miss school, suffer stigma, or even drop out due to lack of access to sanitary products and adequate facilities,” she said. “This must change—and organizations like the Tabitha Cumi Foundation are leading the way.”
The event, hosted by the Tabitha Cumi Foundation, brought together educators, gender advocates, and community leaders to deliberate on strategies to keep girls in school and break the stigma around menstruation. The gathering aligned with the 2024 global theme, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld.”
The Minister called for strengthened collaboration among non-governmental organizations, educators, religious leaders, and the media to promote inclusive dialogue and ensure no girl is left behind. “Education is a right, not a privilege,” she noted. “No girl should have to choose between her education and her period.”
Highlighting the foundation’s efforts, Executive Director Mrs. Adetayo Erinle—represented by Programme Manager Ms. Nendi Ohah—noted that over 1,600 girls in the Federal Capital Territory, Lagos, and Benue States have benefited from its menstrual hygiene initiatives. These programs target both mainstream and special needs schools, promoting inclusion and improved hygiene practices.
“One of our most impactful initiatives this year is the launch of a braille menstrual hygiene manual,” Ohah revealed. “This resource empowers visually impaired girls to access vital information independently.”
The campaign also actively involves boys to dispel menstrual myths and foster gender-inclusive support.
Supporting this approach, Dr. Safiya Tamanuwa, Deputy Director of Placements and the Gender Unit at the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), advocated for comprehensive menstrual hygiene education across Nigeria’s schools. Referring to recent project findings, she emphasized the urgent need for community and institutional engagement.
“Once your awareness is raised, inaction is no longer an option,” Dr. Tamanuwa said. She underscored the importance of involving Parents Teachers’ Associations (PTAs) and School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) to ensure menstrual health is not marginalized in school programming.
“Menstrual hygiene must not be treated as a women-only concern,” she added. “Men and boys must also be educated to support their sisters and daughters.”
In separate interviews with Radio Nigeria, school principals Mr. Fatau Ademola and Mrs. Gold Iyabo commended the foundation’s work and urged the government to provide free sanitary pads in public schools. They noted that lack of access to menstrual hygiene products continues to disrupt the education of many female students.
By Taiwo Olatinwo/ May 29,2025
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