The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has called on the Federal Government and all relevant parties to urgently address period poverty, strengthen protections against sexual violence within educational settings, and establish a robust national menstrual health policy to safeguard the dignity and rights of Nigerian girls.
Marking the International Day of the Girl Child, WARDC’s Founding Director, Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, stressed the urgent need for national strategies that prioritize the wellbeing, empowerment, and rights of girls, particularly those residing in rural areas.
Aligning with the 2025 theme from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Front Lines of Crisis,” WARDC highlighted the persistent issue of period poverty, which continues to obstruct girls’ educational progress, health, and leadership opportunities.
“A significant number of Nigerian girls still lack access to menstrual hygiene products, proper sanitation facilities, and menstrual health education,” the statement noted. “This scarcity not only causes school absenteeism but also increases vulnerability to infections, emotional trauma, early marriage, and systemic inequality.”
WARDC cited alarming statistics revealing that one in ten girls across Africa miss school during their menstrual cycle, with up to 25% of Nigerian schoolgirls lacking access to safe menstrual hygiene products. The situation is particularly dire in rural regions where infrastructure is limited.
“The consequences of period poverty extend beyond health, leading to chronic absenteeism, stigma, mental health struggles, and a higher risk of reproductive infections. This is fundamentally a violation of human rights,” the organization emphasized.
WARDC praised the recent establishment of a Menstrual Bank in Bauchi State, recognizing it as a groundbreaking step toward menstrual equity.
“We applaud Bauchi State’s innovative Menstrual Bank initiative, which provides free sanitary products to girls in schools and underserved communities. This model offers a replicable blueprint for nationwide adoption,” the group stated.
In its advocacy agenda, WARDC recommended the introduction of a National Menstrual Health Policy and corresponding legislation, the strengthening of school measures to prevent and respond to sexual violence, and increased investment in health and hygiene programs targeting girls.
The organization also urged for broader community engagement campaigns that include men, alongside enhanced data collection and research focused on the health challenges faced by girls.
“Breaking the silence and stigma around menstruation is essential. No girl should be marginalized or disadvantaged due to a natural biological process,” the statement concluded.
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi reaffirmed WARDC’s belief that girls are not merely victims but vital catalysts for change, leadership, innovation, and national development.
“Equipping girls with dignity, education, safety, and health is foundational to building an equitable and thriving society. It is imperative to act now, dismantle taboos, and guarantee every girl’s right to live with respect and opportunity.”
Observed every year on October 11, the International Day of the Girl Child highlights the unique obstacles girls face worldwide and amplifies their voices in shaping a fairer, more inclusive future.