Sanitary towels ( menstrual pads)
Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with key stakeholders, has officially adopted the groundbreaking National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM), a transformative step toward addressing the challenges faced by women and girls during menstruation.
This policy, coupled with President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to remove taxes on sanitary towels, signals a bold commitment to gender equity and public health.
At the policy validation meeting held on Friday in Abuja, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, represented by Dr. Maryam Keshinro, emphasized the policy’s goal: ensuring menstruation does not hinder any woman or girl’s potential. “This policy is a testament to our resolve to break the barriers of shame, stigma, and economic hardship associated with menstruation,” she stated.
With women aged 15 to 49 making up approximately 25 to 30 percent of Nigeria’s population, millions navigate menstruation monthly. Yet, significant challenges persist. “Fifteen percent of girls aged 15 to 19 are already mothers or pregnant, and over 7.3 million adolescent girls and women suffer from undernutrition, with 55 percent affected by anaemia—conditions worsened by poor menstrual hygiene and lack of affordable sanitary products,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted.
The minister highlighted that inadequate access to sanitary products, poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) infrastructure, misinformation, and cultural taboos contribute to school absenteeism, health issues, and social exclusion. The new policy aims to address these by integrating menstrual health into national development across health, education, water, sanitation, and gender sectors. “By 2030, no girl in Nigeria should have to choose between managing her menstruation and pursuing her education,” Sulaiman-Ibrahim affirmed.
Implementation of the policy will demand cross-sector collaboration, political commitment, and active involvement from states, communities, and development partners. The minister expressed gratitude to organizations like Population Services International (PSI) and WaterAid Nigeria for their support in tackling menstrual health challenges.
Mrs. Fifi Ogbondeminu, Acting Country Representative for PSI Nigeria, represented by Abdulhameed Adediran, described the policy as a milestone in treating menstruation with “dignity, empathy, and urgency.” Through PSI’s Menstrual Health No Wahala (MH-NoW) program, affordable menstrual products, age-appropriate education, and stigma-breaking environments are being provided to women and girls. Ogbondeminu stressed the importance of ensuring low-cost menstrual products are available in both rural and urban areas and integrating menstrual health into school and community initiatives to empower girls to stay in school.
Similarly, Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, represented by Dr. Theodora Ngozika-Igboaneka, underscored the policy’s role in improving access to critical infrastructure, including clean water, sanitation facilities, waste disposal systems, and hygiene education. “This policy sends a powerful message of commitment to human rights, health, dignity, and empowerment,” Mere said, noting that proper menstrual health management leads to transformative outcomes: “Girls no longer miss classes, women participate fully in workplaces, and communities replace silence with practical support.”
Mrs. Mabel Adinya-Ade, a consultant on the MHHM policy, emphasized that the framework is designed to ensure safe and accessible menstruation for vulnerable women and girls across Nigeria, from urban centers like Lagos and Abuja to rural villages and IDP camps in Borno, Zamfara, and Adamawa.
This dual approach—removing taxes on sanitary towels and adopting a comprehensive menstrual health policy—marks a historic stride toward empowering Nigerian women and girls, fostering an environment where menstruation is no longer a barrier to education, health, or opportunity.
