The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has lamented that 15 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19 are already mothers or pregnant.

The Minister also disclosed that over 7.3 million adolescent girls and women in Nigeria suffer from under nutrition, adding that 55 per cent of these population are affected by anaemia, a condition that can be exacerbated by poor menstrual hygiene and lack of affordable sanitary products.

The Minister made the disclosure yesterday at the end of a meeting where Nigerian government, in collaboration with stakeholders, validated and adopted Nigeria’s first National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM).

She revealed the statistics by UNICEF at the end of a meeting during the validation and adoption of Nigeria’s first National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM).

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Maryam Keshinro, noted that the recent waivers on sanitary towels by President Bola Tinubu, showed his deep sensitivity to gender and public health matters.

The Minister described the policy as a milestone in ensuring menstruation doesn’t hinder the rights, opportunities, or wellbeing of any woman or girl.

She noted that women aged 15 to 49 constitute about 25 to 30 per cent of the country’s population.

She described menstruation as a normal biological process that should never be a source of shame, stigma, or economic hardship.

Acting Country Representative, Population Services International, PSI in Nigeria, Mrs Fifi Ogbondeminu, noted that the event marks a milestone towards ensuring that menstruation is no longer a silent burden but an issue addressed with dignity, empathy, and urgency.

Ogbondeminu, who was represented by Team Lead for Menstrual Health Initiatives at PSI Nigeria, Dr Abdulhameed Adediran, described menstrual health as a human rights issue, a gender equality issue, and a development issue.