Pad Up Africa, in partnership with the ÀLÁÁFÍÀ Initiative for Gender and Development, on Sunday, warned that poor menstrual health education, persistent cultural stigma and weak implementation of existing policies are contributing to the rising incidence of teenage pregnancies in Nigeria.

The organisations also stressed that involving men and boys in menstrual health advocacy is essential to dismantling misconceptions surrounding menstruation and building community-wide support for girls and women.

They made the call during a menstrual health outreach in Karmo Village, of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), themed, “Because Every Girl Deserves to Feel Confident, Every Day.”

According to Lori, the intervention was driven by the realities faced by vulnerable girls who cannot afford sanitary pads and have little or no knowledge of menstrual health.

She said: “We have many indigent women and girls here who cannot afford sanitary pads. To our surprise, some of them had never used sanitary pads before, while others had been using them without understanding their menstrual cycle.

“We are seeing an increasing number of teenage pregnancies because many young girls do not understand their menstrual cycle. This programme is not intended to encourage unsafe sexual behaviour.

“Rather, it is to help young people understand their menstrual cycle so they can make informed decisions. Abstinence remains the safest option, but understanding the menstrual cycle is important in preventing unintended pregnancies.”

Lori explained that the outreach also focused on breaking the silence around menstruation by engaging men and boys, who were encouraged to pledge support for girls and women and to better understand emotional and physical changes associated with menstruation.

She, however, identified cultural resistance and inadequate funding as major obstacles confronting menstrual health advocacy across communities.

Lori said, “Whenever we enter a new community, acceptance does not always come immediately, especially when we try to involve men in conversations around menstruation. It takes a lot of engagement and persuasion before they understand that menstrual health is everyone’s responsibility.”

She also urged governments at all levels to move beyond policy declarations to implementation, noting that although menstrual hygiene management has been approved for inclusion in primary and secondary school curricula, tangible action remains limited.

“Passing a policy is one thing; ensuring it is implemented is another. Once these policies are fully implemented, stigma surrounding menstruation will reduce significantly in our schools and communities.

“We also need stronger collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, community-based organisations and traditional leaders so we can harmonise advocacy efforts, expand awareness and begin to measure real progress,” she said.

In her remarks, the Founder and Executive Director of the ÀLÁÁFÍÀ Initiative for Gender and Development, Dr. Temilola George, said the newly established organisation was created to complement government efforts by delivering community-based interventions that improve the lives of vulnerable populations.

She said: “This is our first major project, and we intend to implement many more impactful programmes. The government cannot do everything alone. Organisations like ours exist to mobilise resources, carry out charitable projects and improve lives.”

George said the theme of the outreach, “Pads with Confidence,” underscored the need to restore the dignity and confidence of girls during menstruation, particularly those forced to rely on unhygienic alternatives because they cannot afford sanitary products.

She added, “Some girls stay indoors because they fear being stained, while others still rely on rags or old cloth because they cannot afford sanitary pads. Through sensitization and the distribution of affordable sanitary pads, we can improve menstrual hygiene, protect women’s health, build confidence and create healthier communities.”

She urged civil society organisations, development partners, community leaders and government institutions to work together to expand menstrual health education and ensure that every girl has access to accurate information, affordable sanitary products and a supportive environment.

Speaking at the event, the Village Head of Karmo Sabo, Jiwa Chiefdom, Abuja, Chief Umar Sarki Gani, described the outreach as timely and impactful, saying it had equipped women with practical knowledge on menstrual hygiene and personal health.

The traditional ruler called on the government to provide financial and institutional support to organisations delivering health education in underserved communities.

He said: “I am overwhelmed by this programme because it truly educates women on proper personal hygiene and how to take care of themselves during their menstrual period. The message has been well received, and I look forward to seeing organisations like this continue to visit our community to educate our people for a better future.

“These organisations are already doing their best. If the government partners with them, it will greatly improve public health awareness and hygiene across communities.”

One of the beneficiaries, Saidu Aisha, said the programme helped participants understand menstrual hygiene, menstrual cycle management and the need to seek medical attention for severe menstrual pain.

She said: “We were taught how to take care of ourselves and understand our menstrual cycle. We also learned that severe menstrual pain should not be ignored because it may not be normal. We sincerely appreciate this organisation for coming to our community.”