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From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
A Non Governmental Organization NGO, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has called on all stakeholders to use this Menstrual Health Day (MHD), to fight period poverty and end the stigma among women and girls.
The organization disclosed that out of the 2 billion people menstruating globally, 500 million will experience period poverty including lack of access to menstrual health products, safe and clean facilities.
AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, Dr. Echey Ijezie, stated this in a statement signed by the Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborishade and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Monday.
Ijezie who noted that globally, women and girls, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa region face a disproportionate HIV burden also noted that lack of access to sanitary pads along with stigma, can lead to poor health outcomes, forcing many girls to miss school or work, increasing the likelihood of dropping out.
He noted that such situations often leads to increased transactional or trans-generational sex, limiting their ability to negotiate safer sex and raising the risk of acquiring HIV.
Ijezie who pledged AHF’s commitment to changing the situation in the country, said “AHF Nigeria is committed to ending period poverty in Nigeria with consistent investment in initiatives that bridges the knowledge gap of menstrual health management in young women and girls and in combating the myths, stigma and cultural taboos undermining the wellbeing of young women and girls.
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“To this end, we will continue to expand access to accurate information and the provision of free sanitary pads to compliment the efforts of other concerned stakeholders.
“Nearly 2 billion people menstruate globally, yet 500 million will experience period poverty including the lack of access to menstrual health products, safe and clean facilities, and accepting communities.
“These barriers, along with stigma, can lead to poor health outcomes, missing school or work, and adverse effects on mental health. This Menstrual Health Day let’s fight period poverty and end the stigma,” he added.
The organization said it has earmarked May 28, to commemorate the Menstrual Health Day worldwide as part of strategic prevention efforts that highlight the link between menstrual health and HIV.
The event which would hold at WAPI Secondary School Calabar, Cross River state and in Karinmajigi community in Abuja, on May 28, 2025,p address the stigma, cultural taboos, and lack of menstrual hygiene access that undermine dignity and increase HIV risk among women and girls.
The Advocacy and Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade said this year, AHF Nigeria will empower young women and girls, both in-school and out-of-school with the information and knowledge they require for a safe menstrual experience.
“Importantly, we shall provide free sanitary pads, both disposable and reusable to young girls in Calabar, Abuja and Makurdi while calling on government to invest in providing free sanitary pads to young girls, across Nigeria, especially indigent girls who lack access to sanitary pads”, Aborisade said.
