Stakeholders Launch Campaign On Menstrual Hygiene

Stakeholders in women’s health, education, and adolescent development have called for stronger support systems to address menstrual hygiene challenges facing young girls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and across Nigeria.

This was made known during the launch of Adopt-A-Teen Campaign, with the theme, ‘One Conversation Can Start a Movement,’ which was organised by M-Search Media in conjunction with The Urban Hive in Abuja.

The initiative seeks to tackle period poverty by providing menstrual hygiene kits, awareness, mentorship, and support to vulnerable girls.

Speaking at the launch, the co-founder and executive director of M-Search Media and pioneer of the initiative, Zainab Salami, said the campaign was inspired by experiences from humanitarian interventions in conflict-affected communities, where many girls lacked access to basic menstrual hygiene products.

According to her, the organisation discovered that many adolescent girls could not fully focus on their education and future aspirations because they lacked access to essential dignity kits.

“This initiative came about when we were working in conflict-affected communities and realised that young girls did not have access to one of the most important things they needed, which is dignity kits.

“When a girl does not have access to such basic necessities, it becomes difficult for her to focus on education and other important aspects of her future,” she said.

Salami disclosed that the initiative has already reached about 1,500 girls and aims to support 5,000 by the end of the year, with a long-term target of reaching 10,000 beneficiaries by next year.

She noted that the campaign is currently working with internally displaced persons (IDP) communities in Borno State through partnerships with humanitarian organisations and plans to expand its reach across other parts of the country.

Calling on government and development partners to prioritise menstrual health, Salami argued that sanitary pads should be made freely accessible to girls.

“Young girls face challenges every day, and one of them is menstrual hygiene and menstrual health. We must provide them with the resources and information they need to live with dignity.

“Pads should be free. Menstruation is a biological process; it is not a choice. It is something God created. I urge philanthropists and well-meaning Nigerians to support initiatives that help young girls grow into confident women,” she added.

Also speaking, a specialist and trained adolescent age and life-stage counsellor, Bimpe Akowu, described the campaign as a timely intervention designed to support girls from less privileged backgrounds in overcoming period poverty.

Akowu, who served as a panelist at the event, said discussions focused on the roles of schools, parents, communities, and institutions in ensuring effective menstrual health and hygiene management.

She stressed that menstruation is a natural physiological process and a human rights issue that should not prevent girls from accessing education or achieving their ambitions.

“We need to support every girl child, irrespective of her socio-economic background, to experience dignified menstruation. No girl should be unable to attend school, socialise, or pursue her dreams because of menstruation,” she said.

According to her, the initiative will combine awareness creation, menstrual health education, and the distribution of hygiene kits containing sanitary pads and other essential products.

On the role of government, Akowu noted that Nigeria already has relevant policies, including the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools Policy and the National Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policy, but lamented weak implementation.

“The policies are there. The legal framework is there. What is needed is funding and implementation. Government must ensure improved access to menstrual products and support quality standards for products being used by girls and women across the country,” she said.

Representing the Fistula Foundation, women’s health advocate Clement Enenemoh said his passion for women’s health was inspired by a personal experience during his National Youth Service Corps year when he witnessed the pains of childbirth firsthand.

He described the Adopt A Teen Campaign as a commendable intervention, particularly at a time when many families are struggling economically.

“Many families today are facing financial difficulties and are unable to meet all the needs of their children. This initiative can help support both the children and their parents while also providing mentorship that can inspire young girls to aspire to greater heights,” he said.

Enenemoh argued that neither government nor private organisations have given adequate attention to menstrual health issues affecting vulnerable girls, particularly those in remote and underserved communities.

“Most menstrual hygiene interventions focus on communities that are easily accessible. However, there are many communities and schools that have little or no access to such support.

“More can be done through collaboration between government and private organisations because government has the reach, while partners can bring innovation, expertise, and resources,” he stated.

Also speaking, the senior special assistant to the President on Women’s Health, Dr Adanna Steinacker, highlighted the importance of Nigeria’s National Menstrual Hygiene Policy and stressed the need to ensure that only safe and quality menstrual products are made available to girls and women across the country.

She emphasised the importance of implementing existing policies and strengthening regulatory mechanisms to protect the health and well-being of adolescent girls.

The launch attracted health professionals, development partners, civil society organisations, educators, and youth advocates who collectively called for sustained action to eliminate period poverty and ensure that every girl has access to menstrual health education and hygiene products.