FAB Treasure Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), on Thursday in Abuja, called on the federal government to remove tax on all sanitary pad products.

The executive director of the foundation, Festus Abigail, made the call at a lecture on menstrual hygiene management organised for the female students of Dabmak Great Foundation International School, Mpape, Abuja.

The event was held in collaboration with Rejoice George Outreach and the Girl Force Movement, both NGOs.

The event was organised to commemorate the 2025 International Menstrual Hygiene Day, celebrated globally on May 28.

According to Ms Abigail, exempting sanitary pad products from tax will significantly reduce their market cost, making them more affordable for girls and their parents.

She added that the measure would also promote proper hygiene among adolescent girls and encouraged them to stay in school, as many shy away during their menstrual periods.

“Today, we are at Dabmak Great Foundation Group of School to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day. This day has been set aside by the United Nations to create awareness about menstruation.

“This is because menstrual health has become a public health issue, and it is important that young girls understand menstruation, what is happening in their bodies, and have access to basic necessities to manage their periods.

“We are here to teach young girls about menstruation and also to give them free sanitary pads. I am convinced the girls have learned one or two things; what we gave them is detailed information.

“We have shared with them the three Ps they need to know, the Product, the Practice, and the Pain.

“Menstrual cramps are one thing young girls have to deal with. We also teach them to know when the pain is mild, when it is severe, and when to seek medical attention,” Ms Abigail explained.

She urged the girls to embrace menstruation as a crucial part of their lives.

Bologun Teniola, representative of Rejoice George Outreach, stated that parents must start providing sex education to their daughters to guide them properly, adding that the culture of silence around the girl child must be broken.

Ms Teniola encouraged the girls to love and be confident in themselves during their menstrual periods.

She also called on the government to invest more in initiatives teaching girls proper menstrual hygiene and to provide greater support for NGOs engaged in the work.

Ms Teniola further urged that menstrual hygiene education be incorporated into the school curriculum to better guide girls.

Rabyat Aliyu, Head of Department (Humanities) at the school, thanked the guests for the lecture and said it had significantly increased the girls’ knowledge about menstrual hygiene.

“I want to really appreciate FAB Treasure Foundation for what they have done today.

“It has been impactful, especially in this generation where parents no longer have time for their teenagers. What this NGO has done is touching.

“As a woman, I know how challenging menstruation was when I started. It was not like this,” she added.

Mariam Odey, the principal of the school, also commended the guests, stressing that the programme was informative and encouraging.

Farida Iyere, the girls’ head prefect, thanked FAB Treasure Foundation, saying she learned many valuable lessons from the teachings.

Gideon Miracle, the sanitary prefect of the school, also said she had learned a lot.

(NAN)