Menstrual Health Day: Why we must end period poverty — AHF Nigeria

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has said that 500 million young women and girls all over the world still experience period poverty which includes lack of access to menstrual health products, and safe and clean facilities.

The AHF Head of Advocacy and Marketing, Steve Aborisade stated this in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday.

Aborisade explained in the statement that the above barriers, along with stigma could lead to poor health outcomes, missing school or work, and adverse effects on mental health.

To end period poverty, AHF Nigeria said it is poised to place menstrual health issues as a key national agenda.

“And it is in this regard that we are committing resources to creating greater awareness in the general population and bringing different stakeholders to join the conversation”, Aborisade said.

According to AHF, “Of an estimated 1.8 billion people who menstruate globally, 500 million will experience period poverty including the lack of access to menstrual health products, safe and clean facilities, and accepting communities.

“This Menstrual Health Day let’s end period poverty and end the stigma.”

The statement added that for the 2024 Menstrual Health Day (MHD), AHF has organized an event at Government Senior Secondary School, Jabi, FCT, Abuja, Ibesikpo Secondary Commercial School, Nung Udoe, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state and in Agyogoyo Angwan-Jukun community, Makurdi, Benue state, for May 28, to fight period poverty and eliminate the harmful stigma surrounding menstruation that keeps women and menstruating people of all ages from thriving.

Menstrual Health Day, observed annually on May 28, raises awareness about the importance of menstrual health education and resources.

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Aborisade added, “This year, AHF Nigeria is having a multi-state commemoration to reach more young women and girls with menstrual health education and awareness and distribute free sanitary pads to as many girls as we can reach out to in our states of operation.

“Beyond these, AHF Nigeria is also working through some Civil Society Organizations, CSOs and Community-Based Organizations, CBOs, to distribute free sanitary pads to young women and girls in communities across our program states.

He added that in Abuja, FCT, Ibesikpo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state and in Angwan-Jukun community, Makurdi, Benue state, AHF officials in collaboration with partners shall be hosting engaging outreach events to provide awareness and education about menstrual health management issues and as well distribute free sanitary pads to young women and girls at the events.

“There will also be live radio engagements in Abuja, Uyo and Makurdi to propagate menstrual health management education widely.

“To end period poverty, AHF Nigeria is poised to place menstrual health issues as a key national agenda, and it is in this regard that we are committing resources to creating greater awareness in the general population and bringing different stakeholders to join the conversation.

“Young women and girls, irrespective of their location or social status must be able to have their periods in a safe and conducive environment and without the difficulties that a lack of access to sanitary products presently constitutes,” the statement quoted Dr. Eche Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director.

“AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.9 million clients in 46 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe,” the statement reads in parts.