On Menstrual Hygiene Day, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, called for urgent action to end period poverty and promote menstrual health and hygiene for girls and women across the country. Speaking at a commemorative event in Abuja, the First Lady emphasized that access to safe and affordable menstrual products is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
Senator Tinubu highlighted the challenges faced by millions of Nigerian girls who miss school or suffer health risks due to a lack of sanitary products and inadequate menstrual hygiene education. She noted that period poverty not only undermines girls’ confidence and dignity but also perpetuates gender inequality and hinders national development.
The First Lady urged government agencies, private sector partners, and civil society organizations to collaborate in making menstrual products accessible and affordable, especially for girls in rural and underserved communities. She also advocated for increased awareness campaigns, improved water and sanitation facilities in schools, and the integration of menstrual health education into the national curriculum.
Senator Tinubu reaffirmed her commitment to championing initiatives that empower girls and women, stating, “No girl or woman should be held back by her period. Together, we can break the silence, end the stigma, and ensure menstrual dignity for all.”
Menstrual Hygiene Day, marked every May 28, is a global movement to raise awareness and combat the challenges of period poverty and menstrual stigma.