SON, UNFPA Seek Safer Cheaper Pads As 37m Nigerian Women Battle Period Poverty

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are pushing for stronger regulation and policy reforms to make menstrual products safer and more affordable, as period poverty continues to affect millions of women and girls across Nigeria.

Speaking at the Nigeria Menstrual Health Product Forum 2026 in Lagos, themed ‘Driving Standards and Policy Reform for Affordable Menstrual Products’, the director-general of SON, Dr. Ifeanyi Okeke said collaboration among regulators, government agencies, manufacturers and development partners was key to delivering quality products at prices people can afford.

He stated that SON will intensify efforts on standards, consumer protection and regulatory oversight to protect users, build market confidence and encourage responsible manufacturing.

UNFPA Gender/GBV Management specialist, Dr. Zubaida Abubakar, said rising costs, poor WASH facilities and limited access to quality products were driving period poverty. She called for the establishment of sanitary pad banks in schools nationwide to prevent girls from missing classes or exams during menstruation.

“UNFPA estimates, with UNICEF data, that about 37 million women and girls in Nigeria experience period poverty. The World Bank also estimates that about 24 per cent of Nigerian schoolgirls regularly miss school due to inadequate menstrual materials and WASH infrastructure,” Abubakar said.

She urged governments, CSOs, donors and philanthropists to fund school-based pad banks for emergency supplies. Abubakar added that pad provision must be matched with adequate WASH facilities and safe disposal systems.

She noted that, UNFPA is also engaging stakeholders to review taxes, duties and levies on menstrual-product manufacturers and importers to reduce production costs and improve affordability.

The deputy director, Child Development Department, Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Mariam Shuaibu, said product availability alone was not enough.

“It is not just about having products in the market, but we want to ensure that those products meet the standards and quality that is desired to be used by women and girls in Nigeria,” she said.

Shuaibu added that period poverty extends beyond cost, as many girls still lack water, privacy and safe disposal options.

The Ministry disclosed that Nigeria’s National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management has been consulted on across the six geopolitical zones and validated, saying the next steps are Federal Executive Council approval and adoption by states.

Stakeholders pointed out that stronger standards, supportive policies, better infrastructure and coordinated interventions are critical to ensuring safety, quality and affordability of menstrual health products for women and girls nationwide.