FG approves menstrual health policy to tackle stigma, support girls’ education

The federal government has introduced its first national policy on menstrual health and hygiene management, aimed at improving the health, dignity, and opportunities of women and girls in the country.

This policy was funded by WaterAid Nigeria, with support from Population Services International, and was validated on Friday in Abuja by the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, together with commissioners from all 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory, and other civil society stakeholders.

The document was created through consultations across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, incorporating the priorities and socio-cultural contexts of each state to address major challenges such as stigma, misinformation, and lack of access to safe menstrual products—factors that contribute to school absenteeism, early dropout, child marriage, and teenage pregnancy affecting millions of girls.

In her keynote address, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Maryam Keshinro, stated that menstrual health should not be considered only a women’s issue but also a matter of national and community development.

She said the journey towards adopting the policy began in 2018 when Nigeria joined the global MHHM campaign, following the 18th Regular National Council of Women Affairs in Lagos.

According to her, the policy will ensure “dignity, safety, and support for women and girls in Nigeria”, and it will also enhance health outcomes while improving girls’ participation in education and the economy.

She added, “This policy sets a clear vision: by 2030, no girl in Nigeria should have to choose between managing her menstruation and pursuing her education; no woman should be hindered in her personal or professional development because of menstruation; and no community should sustain stigma or exclusion linked to it.”

She further said, “Implementation will require strong collaboration across sectors, political will, and active participation from states, communities, and development partners.”

She concluded, “Let us validate this policy with unity of purpose and commitment to action, knowing that menstrual health is not a privilege but a right. Together, we can make it a lived reality for every woman and girl in Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, Evelyn Mere, the Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, represented by the Policy and Advocacy Manager, Theodora Igboaneka, stated that the policy came out of “genuine consultation” and stressed the need for effective implementation, regular monitoring, and strong advocacy to ensure the document leads to real impact.

She said, “Validation is just the beginning. The real test lies in implementation, in ensuring that these policies reach the IDPs in Borno, the rural communities in Kebbi State and the urban slums in Lagos.”

She added, “It lies in making sure that every Nigerian woman, regardless of her economic status or where she is, can access what she needs to manage her period with dignity.”

Population Services International (PSI) Nigeria also pledged to support implementation at the state level, highlighting that its Menstrual Health No Wahala programme is already being implemented in Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, Sokoto, and Plateau.