“Menstruation is not a shame” — AHF Nigeria and Nasarawa State Government advocate stronger menstrual health education, reusable pads and an end to harmful cultural myths.

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Concerned about the increasing impact of period poverty and menstrual stigma on the wellbeing and education of adolescent girls, Aids Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria and the Nasarawa State Government have renewed calls for urgent action to ensure girls manage menstruation safely, confidently and without shame.

The appeal was made during the 2026 World Menstrual Health Day commemoration held in Keffi, where government officials, teachers, health workers and students gathered to demand improved menstrual hygiene support, access to sanitary products and stronger public enlightenment.
The programme, organised by AHF Nigeria in collaboration with the Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, included menstrual health education, advocacy sessions and distribution of sanitary pads to students.
Speakers at the event noted that silence, poverty and cultural misconceptions around menstruation continue to push many girls out of school and expose them to health challenges.
AHF Nigeria revealed that nearly 500 million people globally still face period poverty, lacking access to sanitary materials, proper hygiene facilities and accurate menstrual health information.
Halima Aliyu Omaku, Gender Focal Person at the Nasarawa State Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, said menstruation remains highly stigmatised despite affecting millions of women and girls worldwide.
She explained that many girls still experience discrimination and shame simply because society avoids open discussions on menstrual health.
“This programme is important because many people still cannot openly talk about menstruation. We need to break the harmful beliefs and stigma attached to it,” she said.
Omaku, who shared her personal experience of growing up without menstrual education, urged participants to become advocates for change within their communities.
She also stressed the importance of involving boys in menstrual health education to reduce bullying and discrimination against girls.
“You are lucky to have access to this knowledge. In our time, we did not have such opportunities. Use it wisely and help others,” she told the students.
Also speaking, Safiya Ibrahim Yahuzu, Gender and Human Rights Focal Person at the Nasarawa State AIDS Control Agency (NASACA), said many students admitted it was their first time receiving basic menstrual hygiene education.
She emphasised the need for continuous school-based campaigns to tackle myths and misinformation about menstruation.
“Hygiene is very important for young girls. Girls must learn how to properly take care of themselves during menstruation,” Yahuzu said.
To address affordability challenges, Angelina Kigbu of the Education Area Office in Keffi announced plans to establish menstrual hygiene clubs where girls will be trained to produce reusable sanitary pads.
She explained that reusable pads would serve as a cheaper and more sustainable option for students who cannot afford disposable products.
“If girls learn to make reusable pads, they can teach others and expand awareness. Many students do not know this is possible,” Kigbu said.
Students at the event welcomed the initiative but called for more government support for menstrual hygiene in schools.
Victoria Samson urged authorities to provide toilets and free sanitary pads, noting that many girls still struggle to access basic hygiene materials.
Another student, Catherine Ogogi, said the programme had exposed participants to proper menstrual hygiene practices and reusable pad production, while calling for stronger efforts to combat menstrual myths and misinformation.
Health professionals also provided guidance on menstrual care. Dr. Sunday Emmanuel, an ART clinician with AHF Nigeria, said the campaign aimed to equip young people with accurate reproductive health knowledge and eliminate misconceptions around menstruation.
He called for stronger collaboration between government and AHF through continuous school sensitisation, media engagement and community outreach, stressing the need for coordinated action to ensure no girl is denied dignity, education or confidence because of her period.
Deborah Samuel Mamman of AHF Nigeria advised girls to change sanitary pads every six to eight hours, wash their hands regularly and maintain proper menstrual hygiene.