Advocacy groups and civil society organisations have called for urgent action to address period poverty in Nigeria, as the Shamies Unusual Heart Foundation and Pad-Up Africa distributed menstrual hygiene kits to vulnerable girls and women in Abuja to mark the 2026 Menstrual Hygiene Day.
The intervention formed part of the Walk4Pad 2026 advocacy campaign held on Saturday at Millennium Park under the global theme, “#PeriodFriendlyWorld.”
During the event, the organisations donated one-year menstrual hygiene support packs and dignity kits to 100 disadvantaged girls and women, while also carrying out sensitisation campaigns on menstrual hygiene management, gender inclusion, and the dangers of period stigma.
Participants at the programme included healthcare professionals, civil society organisations, youth advocates, development partners, volunteers, students, and members of the public.
Speaking during the sensitisation programme, Acting Executive Director of Shamies Unusual Heart Foundation, John Olugbemi, who represented the foundation’s founder, Sara Abdul, said the campaign was aimed at drawing attention to the growing challenge of period poverty affecting many girls across the country.
According to him, many girls still struggle to afford sanitary products, exposing them to poor menstrual hygiene and social stigma.
“We are proud to partner with Pads of Africa as part of activities marking Menstrual Hygiene Day. We realise there is still a lot of misinformation surrounding menstrual hygiene and sensitisation, especially regarding how it affects girls and women,” he said.
Olugbemi urged government authorities and relevant stakeholders to prioritise menstrual health policies and make sanitary products more accessible to vulnerable girls.
“It is sad that many disadvantaged girls suffer from period poverty and cannot afford sanitary products. What we are doing today is to raise awareness so that measures can be put in place to ensure that every girl can afford sanitary pads and properly care for herself,” he added.
Also speaking, Executive Director of Pad-Up Africa, Ashley Olachi Lori, stressed the need for improved menstrual hygiene education in schools and the provision of gender-sensitive sanitation facilities.
She said menstruation should never be treated as a source of shame, noting that many girls still face discrimination and stigma during their menstrual cycle.
“We are going to continue to advocate for adequate menstrual hygiene information in schools, as well as proper menstrual hygiene facilities and gender-sensitive toilets,” Lori stated.
She disclosed that about 1,000 girls across four rural schools would benefit from this year’s programme through sanitary pad distribution and training on reusable sanitary pad production and maintenance.
Lori also dismissed misconceptions discouraging girls from participating in sports during menstruation, explaining that exercise could help relieve cramps and improve menstrual health.
One of the beneficiaries, Faleye Eniola, described the initiative as timely and impactful, while calling for a reduction in the cost of sanitary pads.
“I feel refreshed, energized, and more valued as a female growing up in Nigeria. I think sanitary pads should be made cheaper because many people cannot afford them,” she said.
Meanwhile, the founder of Lokas Intercontinental Sons of Tomorrow Initiative, Chieloka Iloputaife, urged boys and young men to support girls and help end menstrual stigma.
According to him, involving boys in menstrual hygiene advocacy would help create more supportive environments for girls both at home and in schools.
“The boy child is here to support the girl child. We want boys to get involved in supporting girls, helping to end period poverty, and assisting girls with sanitary pads when needed,” he said.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is commemorated globally every May 28 to promote awareness on menstrual health and hygiene, challenge harmful cultural taboos, and advocate improved access to sanitary products and menstrual education.
In Nigeria, stakeholders have continued to express concern over rising sanitary pad prices, inadequate hygiene facilities in schools, and the impact of period poverty on girls’ education, health, and self-esteem, particularly in low-income and rural communities.
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