By Lisa Yusuf ( lisayusuf75@gmail.com)
While menstruation is a natural biological process experienced by half of the world’s population, millions of Nigerian women and girls face a monthly struggle due to a lack of access to sanitary products, hygiene facilities, and proper education. This issue, known as period poverty, is often overlooked, yet it has far-reaching consequences on education, economic productivity, and overall well-being. Many girls and women in Nigeria are forced to use unsafe alternatives such as rags, newspapers, and even leaves due to the high cost and limited availability of menstrual products. This not only puts them at risk of infections but also affects their confidence and ability to participate in daily activities.
The reality of period poverty is most evident in schools, where a large number of girls miss classes every month simply because they cannot afford sanitary pads. According to UNICEF, one in ten African schoolgirls skips school during menstruation, with many eventually dropping out entirely. In Nigeria, where education is already a challenge for many children, this only worsens gender disparities in learning. Young girls describe the shame and anxiety they feel when they stain their uniforms due to a lack of proper menstrual products. They often have no choice but to miss school for several days every month, falling behind in studies and struggling to catch up. Many girls in rural and low-income communities experience this problem, limiting their opportunities for academic success and future employment.
The economic impact of period poverty extends beyond school-aged girls. Many working women, particularly those in low-income or informal sector jobs, face similar challenges. The lack of access to sanitary products and clean, private restrooms in workplaces often forces women to stay home during their periods. This loss of productivity contributes to the already existing gender gap in employment and income levels. The high cost of sanitary products in Nigeria exacerbates the problem. A single pack of pads can cost between ₦500 and ₦2,000 ($1–$3), a price that many families struggling to afford basic necessities find unaffordable. For households living below the poverty line, menstrual hygiene products become a luxury rather than a necessity. Although the Nigerian government removed the 7.5% value-added tax (VAT) on locally produced sanitary pads in 2021, the ongoing inflation and economic downturn have continued to make these products inaccessible to many.
Cultural and societal stigma further worsen the challenges surrounding menstrual health management in Nigeria. In many communities, menstruation remains a taboo topic, and girls are often taught to feel ashamed of their periods. This silence prevents open discussions about menstrual health, making it difficult for those in need to seek help or advocate for better support systems. In some cases, menstruating girls are even considered impure, facing restrictions on where they can go and what they can do. This deep-rooted stigma contributes to the lack of urgency in addressing period poverty as a major public health and human rights issue.
Despite these challenges, efforts are being made by various organizations and activists to address period poverty in Nigeria. Several non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Pad Up Africa, Sanitary Aid for Nigerian Girls, and The Serendipity Healthcare Foundation, have launched initiatives to provide free sanitary products and menstrual hygiene education to girls across the country. These organizations work tirelessly to ensure that more girls can manage their periods with dignity, distributing thousands of pads each year and holding educational workshops on menstrual health. Some states in Nigeria have also taken steps to provide free reusable pads to schoolgirls, but these efforts remain limited in scope and need to be scaled up to have a nationwide impact.
Health experts and activists argue that more comprehensive and sustainable solutions are needed to tackle period poverty in Nigeria. They call for the federal and state governments to implement large-scale programs that provide free sanitary products in schools and public institutions. Improving sanitation facilities in schools, workplaces, and public spaces is also critical to ensuring that women and girls have access to clean and private restrooms. In addition to physical resources, menstrual health education must be integrated into school curriculums to help break the cycle of stigma and misinformation surrounding menstruation. When girls and boys are taught about menstruation as a normal and natural process, it helps to create a more supportive environment for young girls to manage their periods without fear or shame.
Beyond government intervention, individuals and organizations have a role to play in addressing period poverty. Advocacy for menstrual equity must continue, and people can contribute by donating sanitary products, supporting local initiatives, and raising awareness about the issue. More companies and businesses should also consider providing free menstrual products in workplaces, just as they do with toilet paper and soap, to ensure that women do not have to choose between their health and their productivity.
If Nigeria is to achieve true gender equality and economic development, period poverty must be treated as a national priority. Providing access to menstrual hygiene products is not just a health issue—it is a matter of dignity, education, and opportunity. Without immediate action, millions of Nigerian girls and women will continue to be held back from reaching their full potential simply because of a natural biological process. The fight against period poverty requires collective effort, and the time to act is now.
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