To mark Menstrual Hygiene Day, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF Nigeria) and the Shamies Unusual Heart Foundation, in partnership with Pad-Up Africa, have intensified advocacy on menstrual health, hygiene education and access to sanitary products for girls and women.

AHF Nigeria will today hold a commemorative event in Keffi, Nasarawa State, to emphasise the importance of reducing stigma around menstruation and promoting access to safe, clean facilities and affordable sanitary products for all who need them, describing such measures as critical to protecting overall health and reducing vulnerability to HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually on May 28, but due to the national holiday falling on the date this year, AHF Nigeria said it decided to commemorate the event earlier.

Meanwhile, the Shamies Unusual Heart Foundation, in partnership with Pad-Up Africa, yesterday sensitised residents of the Federal Capital Territory on menstrual hygiene as part of the Walk4Pad 2026 advocacy campaign.

The initiative also featured the donation of one-year menstrual hygiene kits and dignity packs to 100 disadvantaged girls and women in Abuja.

Speaking during the sensitisation programme, the Acting Executive Director of Shamies Unusual Heart Foundation, John Olugbemi, who represented the Executive Director and Founder, Sara Abdul, said the partnership was aimed at increasing awareness about menstrual hygiene challenges facing girls and women.

The sensitisation programme formed part of activities marking the 2026 Menstrual Hygiene Day, themed “#PeriodFriendlyWorld.”

According to him, the advocacy walk was organised to educate the public and encourage support for menstrual hygiene initiatives.

Olugbemi explained that Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed every May 28, seeks to promote menstrual health awareness, address period poverty, challenge harmful stigmas and advocate improved access to sanitary products and menstrual health education for girls and women.

AHF Nigeria said this year’s event in Nasarawa State would be held at Victory Baptist School, Daddin-Kowa, Keffi, with participation from students of Flobam British Secondary School, Government Secondary School and Government Junior Secondary School, all in Keffi.

Government officials expected at the event include representatives of the Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and the Ministry of Education. The Nasarawa State Focal Person on Gender-Based Violence, the Association of Positive Youths Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (APYIN), the AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) and the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria (NEPWHAN) are also expected to attend.

According to the organisers, the event will feature health experts speaking on menstrual health management, particularly issues surrounding access to menstrual health products and the stigma associated with menstruation.

Participating students are also expected to learn basic steps for maintaining good health during menstruation, while boys will be encouraged to become allies in menstrual health management.

AHF Nigeria added that the 150 participants expected at the event would each receive two-month supplies of sanitary towels and other incentives to support their menstrual health needs.