The African Immigrants Resource Centre (AIRC), USA, has raised concerns over the persistent challenge of menstrual poverty affecting thousands of girls across Nigeria, urging governments, corporate organisations, development partners and individuals to intensify efforts to ensure access to menstrual hygiene products and education.

The call was made on Sunday in Port Harcourt during activities marking the 2026 World Menstrual Hygiene Day, organised under AIRC’s “Give a Girl a Pad” (GAGAP) initiative.

Speaking at the event, the Convener of AIRC, Engr. Chimezie Oji-Kalu, represented by the Rivers State Coordinator of the organisation, Mrs. Doris Nwakuna, said many girls, particularly in rural and underserved communities, continue to miss school and face health risks due to inadequate access to sanitary products and menstrual health information.

She noted that menstrual poverty remains a significant barrier to education, health, dignity and equal opportunities for girls.

According to her, the 2026 World Menstrual Hygiene Day theme, “Together for a Period-Friendly World,” highlights the need for collective action to eliminate stigma and ensure that menstruation does not hinder girls from reaching their full potential.

“No girl should feel ashamed, isolated, unsafe or denied opportunities because of menstruation. Menstruation is a natural and healthy part of womanhood, and every girl deserves dignity, confidence, education and access to proper menstrual hygiene support,” she said.

Nwakuna disclosed that through its menstrual hygiene outreach programme this year, AIRC had reached thousands of girls across several states with sanitary pads and menstrual health education.

She said the organisation distributed sanitary products to over 5,000 girls in Imo State, 600 in Abia, 600 in Lagos, 1,780 in the Federal Capital Territory, 580 in Nasarawa and more than 2,800 girls in Rivers State.

“Behind every number is a real story of a girl whose confidence has been restored, whose future has been strengthened and whose voice is now heard,” she stated.

She stressed that menstrual hygiene advocacy should not be limited to the distribution of sanitary pads, but should also focus on education, confidence-building and dismantling long-standing myths and misconceptions surrounding menstruation.

The AIRC convener further described menstrual poverty as a human rights issue that demands urgent attention from policymakers and stakeholders.

She called on governments at all levels to strengthen policies and increase investments in menstrual health programmes while encouraging corporate bodies, philanthropists, non-governmental organisations and Nigerians in the diaspora to support interventions aimed at ending period poverty.

“Menstrual poverty is not only a health issue; it is also about dignity, equality, education and human rights. No girl should be denied opportunities because of her menstrual cycle,” she added.

Also speaking, the Venerable in charge of St. Simon’s Anglican Church, Okporo District, Ven. Okechukwu Owhonda, represented by the church’s Teenage Coordinator, Miss Monica Iwezor, commended AIRC and its leadership for sustaining efforts to support adolescent girls through the provision of sanitary products and menstrual health education.

He described the initiative as impactful and urged beneficiaries to maintain good hygiene practices and take pride in their womanhood.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the organisation for the sensitisation programme and the distribution of sanitary products, saying the intervention would help them manage their menstrual health with greater confidence.

The event formed part of ongoing efforts by AIRC to promote menstrual health awareness and advocate for a society where no girl is disadvantaged because of menstruation.