WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Ms.Evelyn Mere has stated that menstrual periods should never be barrier to education, livelihood and dignity of a woman or girl-child.
She said this on the occasion of the 2025 Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Below is a full statement on the yearly occasion, made available to FirstNigeriaTV:
Breaking the barriers of menstrual health equity: WaterAid calls for
urgent action on menstrual health on Menstrual Hygiene Day
Abuja, Nigeria – 28 May 2025
As the world marks Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025, WaterAid Nigeria is calling for
national recognition that menstrual health is a human right, not a privilege,
therefore urging Governments, schools and communities to break the silence
around menstruation and challenge harmful taboos to ensure that every girl
and woman can manage her period with dignity, confidence and in a safe
manner.
Every day, millions of people who menstruate face stigma, shame and health
risks due to a lack of basic menstrual hygiene facilities and knowledge. Despite
being an education and gender equality issue, millions of women and girls in
Nigeria still lack access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services,
as well as accurate information and safe spaces to manage their periods. This
reality contributes to keeping girls out of school and preventing women from
participating fully in daily life.
According to the 2021 WASHNORM survey, only about 46% of Nigerians have
access to basic sanitation services, and just 13% use improved sanitation
facilities with proper handwashing stations. For menstruating girls and women,
this gap means exposure to shame, infection, and stigma, often with lifelong
consequences.
Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, stated:
“It is unacceptable that menstruation continues to limit the potential of millions
of girls and women in Nigeria. No one should miss school, feel ashamed, or be
unsafe simply because they are menstruating. A period-friendly world is one
where dignity, access, and rights are protected for everyone, regardless of age,
location, or income.”
This year’s theme “Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld”, resonates deeply
with WaterAid’s mission. Periods should never be a barrier to education,
livelihood or dignity. Yet 500 million people globally lack access to adequate
menstrual products and facilities.
In partnership with schools, health institutions, communities and government
at national and sub national levels, WaterAid Nigeria is implementing menstrual
health and hygiene management (MHHM) interventions that include the
provision of WASH facilities in schools, setting up of hygiene clubs, production
and distribution of reusable pads, and community sensitisation efforts. These
initiatives are designed to foster supportive environments where menstruation
is normalised, and no one is left to choose between managing their period and
living their life with dignity.
This Menstrual Hygiene Day, WaterAid Nigeria is renewing its call to:
• Integrate menstrual health into national and sub national WASH, health,
gender and education policies
• Prioritise inclusive and climate resilient WASH facilities and menstrual
services in schools and public spaces
• Challenge menstrual stigma through community engagement and
advocacy
• Invest in behaviour change and community education to tackle harmful
norms
WaterAid invites the public, policymakers, and partners to join the movement
and help create a world where no one is held back by their period. Together, we
can create a Nigeria where menstruation is no longer a barrier to opportunity,
safety, or dignity.
#
