A non-governmental organisation, MAHCare Foundation, has called for increased awareness and support to address period poverty among women and girls in the country.

The president of the foundation, Maryam Musa, made the call during a “Walk for Her Dignity” awareness campaign in Kaduna on Saturday, organised to highlight challenges surrounding menstrual hygiene and access to sanitary products.

Ms Musa said the initiative was to educate the public on the dangers of period poverty and the health risks associated with the use of unhygienic menstrual materials.

She added that “period poverty is not something to be neglected, it is something to be tackled. Sanitary pads are so expensive that many women and girls now use unhygienic products that affect their health, education and daily activities.”

She explained that the awareness campaign would continue beyond the walk, adding that the organisation planned to distribute sanitary products to vulnerable groups and communities.

She noted that the foundation was also promoting the use of reusable sanitary pads to support girls who could not afford disposable products.

“We educate them on how to properly manage reusable pads because not everybody can afford disposable ones. We are also trying to correct misconceptions that sanitary products are against religion or culture,” she said.

She added that women and girls should understand that using sanitary pads was important for their health and hygiene.

Sahura Maidoki, the chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said the campaign was necessary to educate communities on menstrual hygiene and end stigma surrounding menstruation.

Ms Maidoki stressed the need to involve men in menstrual hygiene education, noting that “some parents failed to educate their daughters on proper menstrual care.

“We also have issues with some men because they do not educate their children on the importance of taking care of themselves during menstruation.”

She explained that sensitisation talks would help people understand the importance of providing sanitary pads for their daughters and wives and ensure that menstruation was not seen as a barrier for the girl-child.

A Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) advocate, Doris Zakama, who spoke at the event, said many girls, especially those in rural communities, lacked access to menstrual hygiene products and adequate education on menstrual health.

Ma Zakama urged the government to subsidise menstrual hygiene products and make them affordable for girls and women struggling with the rising cost of living. 

(NAN)