…NGO urges urgent government action, community engagement, and investment to end stigma and ensure safe menstrual hygiene for all
By Bunmi Yekini
As the world commemorates Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, WaterAid Nigeria is urging a national shift in mindset, recognizing menstrual health not as a privilege, but a fundamental human right. The organisation is calling on governments, schools, and communities to dismantle taboos, confront harmful cultural norms, and ensure that every girl and woman can manage her period with dignity and safety.
Despite being tied to education, health, and gender equality, menstrual hygiene remains a neglected issue in Nigeria. Millions of women and girls continue to lack access to clean water, adequate sanitation, hygiene services, and accurate information, according to WaterAid.
This deficit fuels school absenteeism, health complications, and social exclusion. Citing the 2021 WASHNORM survey, the organisation highlighted that only 46% of Nigerians have access to basic sanitation, while a mere 13% use improved sanitation facilities with proper handwashing stations. For menstruating individuals, these gaps expose them to stigma, infection, and insecurity.
“It is unacceptable that menstruation continues to limit the potential of millions of girls and women in Nigeria,” said Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria. “No one should miss school, feel ashamed, or be unsafe simply because they are menstruating.”
The theme of this year’s global campaign, “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld,” aligns closely with WaterAid’s mission to ensure dignity, access, and equality for all, regardless of age, income, or location.
To tackle the issue head-on, WaterAid Nigeria is partnering with schools, health centres, and communities to implement Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) interventions. These include the provision of WASH facilities in schools, creation of hygiene clubs, production and distribution of reusable sanitary pads, and widespread community sensitisation.
The NGO is also pushing for long-term policy reforms, including the integration of menstrual health into national and sub-national WASH, health, education, and gender policies. It is advocating for inclusive, climate-resilient WASH infrastructure in public spaces and schools, and investment in behaviour change and community education.
WaterAid’s message is clear: periods should never stand in the way of education, livelihood, or dignity.
As part of this year’s campaign, the organisation is calling on the public, policymakers, and partners to join the movement for a more inclusive and supportive Nigeria, one where no one is held back by their period.