The Founder and Executive Director of the ÀLÁÁFÍÀ Initiative for Gender and Development, Dr. Temilola George, has called for stronger collaboration among government, civil society organisations, development partners and community leaders to end menstrual stigma and improve menstrual health education across Nigeria.

 

The organisation stressed that many girls still miss school, suffer stigma or resort to unhygienic alternatives during menstruation because they cannot afford sanitary products, describing the situation as a threat to their health, dignity and confidence.

 

George, disclosed this during a menstrual health outreach organised by the ÀLÁÁFÍÀ Initiative in partnership with Pad-Up Africa in Karmo Village, Jiwa Chiefdom, Abuja, themed, “Because Every Girl Deserves to Feel Confident, Every Day.”

 

She noted that the outreach reached and educated 100 participants, 80 women and 20 men, on the importance of menstrual health, hygiene and building confidence during menstruation.

 

She noted that the foundation sensitized and impacted 100 participants, 80 women and 20 men, on the importance of menstrual health and building confidence during menstruation.

 

George said the newly established organisation was created to complement government efforts through community-based interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls.

 

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.

 

“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.”

 

George call on stakeholders to work together to ensure every girl has access to accurate menstrual health information, affordable sanitary products and a supportive environment.

 

Also speaking, the Founder and Executive Director of Pad-Up Africa, Ashley Olachi Lori, warned that poor menstrual health education, persistent cultural stigma and weak implementation of existing policies are contributing to rising cases of teenage pregnancies in Nigeria.

 

She said involving men and boys in menstrual health advocacy was critical to dismantling misconceptions surrounding menstruation and building community-wide support for girls and women.

 

According to Lori, the intervention was inspired by the realities faced by vulnerable girls who lack access to sanitary pads and adequate knowledge about 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 deliberately engaged men and boys to break the silence around menstruation and encourage them to support girls and women while understanding the emotional and physical changes associated with menstruation.

 

She also identified cultural resistance and inadequate funding as major obstacles to menstrual health advocacy.

 

The Village Head of Karmo Sabo, Jiwa Chiefdom, 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.

 

He appealed to the government to provide financial and institutional support to organisations promoting health education in underserved communities.

 

One of the beneficiaries, Saidu Aisha, said participants gained a better understanding of menstrual hygiene, menstrual cycle management and the importance of seeking medical attention for severe menstrual pain.