AHF Nigeria Pushes to End Period Poverty, Calls for National Action

Speaking in a statement to mark Menstrual Health Day, the Country Programme Director of AHF Nigeria, Dr. Echey Ijezie, painted a stark picture of the challenges faced by young girls across Nigeria who are forced to manage their periods without proper sanitary pads, facilities, or support.

“Menstrual health is a basic right, not a privilege. No girl should have to miss school or risk her health simply because she doesn’t have access to a sanitary pad,” Dr. Ijezie said.

Menstrual Health Day, observed globally on May 28, focuses this year on the theme, “Let’s Fight Period Poverty and End the Stigma.” Dr. Ijezie noted that of the nearly 2 billion people who menstruate around the world, over 500 million struggle with limited access to essential menstrual hygiene resources — a situation that leaves them vulnerable to infections, shame, and social exclusion.

“Here in Nigeria, the problem is even worse in rural and low-income communities. Girls are dropping out of school. They’re being exposed to risks — including HIV — simply because we haven’t done enough to support them,” he said.

To mark the day, AHF Nigeria is holding awareness events in Calabar, Abuja, and Makurdi. These include health talks, menstrual hygiene education, and the distribution of free sanitary pads — both disposable and reusable — to young girls.

The organization is also providing HIV testing, condoms, and access to other sexual and reproductive health services as part of its effort to ensure women and girls are protected not just during their periods, but every day of their lives.

Dr. Ijezie said the link between period poverty and the spread of HIV is often overlooked. “When girls lack basic menstrual supplies, they sometimes resort to transactional relationships just to meet these needs. That increases their risk of exploitation and sexually transmitted infections,” he explained.

He called on the government to step in — not just with words, but with clear, sustained action. “We need policies that make free sanitary pads available in schools. We need to train teachers to educate students about menstrual health without shame. And we need community leaders to help end the stigma,” he urged.

Dr. Ijezie also emphasized that education alone is not enough. “This is about restoring dignity and ensuring that no girl is held back by something as natural as her period.”

AHF is the largest AIDS organization in the world, providing care to more than 2.2 million people across 48 countries. In Nigeria, it continues to work with schools, communities, and policymakers to ensure young women and girls get the support they need — and the respect they deserve