Ibadan: Inadequate access to resources continues to hinder the ability of girls and women to manage their menstrual health effectively and respectfully, as highlighted by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist, Mr. Monday Johnson, addressed this issue at a media dialogue organized in collaboration with the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation. He emphasized the ongoing challenges faced by a significant percentage of women who encounter stigmatization, isolation, and rights violations during their menstrual periods.
Menstrual Hygiene Day, observed annually on May 28, aims to enhance understanding about menstruation, raise awareness about the significance of good menstrual hygiene, and dismantle social taboos. The theme for the 2025 celebration, ‘Together for a Period Friendly World,’ envisions a society where every woman can manage menstruation with dignity, confidence, and safety.
Mr. Johnson underscored the necessity of integrating comprehensive menstrual education into school curricula and community programs to dispel myths and normalize menstruation discussions. He stressed the importance of making menstrual products accessible and affordable, asserting that this is a fundamental right for women and girls. He urged collaboration among governments, NGOs, and private sectors to provide free or subsidized menstrual products to those in need.
By educating both girls and boys, a supportive environment can be fostered where menstruation is understood and respected. Mr. Johnson highlighted the need for schools, workplaces, and public spaces to have clean and adequate water supply and disposal options, as some schools currently lack necessary facilities for managing menstruation.
He also called on parents, especially fathers, to support their daughters during menstruation, emphasizing that research has shown a lack of paternal support for girls during this period. He advocated for the involvement of parents, boys, government, and NGOs in supporting girls against taboos and myths about menstruation.
UNICEF’s Social Behavioral Specialist, Mrs. Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, encouraged community leaders and influencers to actively promote menstrual health education. She suggested creating supportive networks to ensure that no girl or woman feels isolated or ashamed due to their menstrual period. She emphasized breaking the silence around menstruation and fostering open dialogue without fear of ridicule or shame.
In his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, commended UNICEF for leading the campaign for menstrual hygiene in Nigeria and expressed the commitment of Gov. Seyi Makinde’s administration to support all UNICEF activities in Oyo State.