WARDC seeks urgent action to end period poverty

Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) wants urgent action to end period poverty and protect the rights of Nigerian girls, particularly in rural communities.

The Centre made the call today on the International Day of the Girl Child, emphasising that millions of girls still lack access to sanitary products, safe hygiene facilities, and proper menstrual education.

In a statement signed by its Founding Director, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, WARDC aligned with this year’s theme by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, “The girl I am, the change I lead: Girls on the front lines of crisis,” stressing the need to safeguard girls’ dignity, health, and education.

“Period poverty continues to drive school absenteeism, early dropout, psychological trauma, and even child marriage among girls,” Dr Akiyode-Afolabi said.

“We must break the culture of silence and stigma surrounding menstruation to ensure no girl is left behind simply because of a natural biological process.”

The Centre commended Bauchi State for establishing Nigeria’s first Menstrual Bank, providing free sanitary products to schoolgirls and underserved communities. WARDC urged other state governments to adopt similar initiatives nationwide.

WARDC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender equality through legal advocacy, research, policy engagement, and community sensitisation.

It noted that every girl deserves to grow up with dignity, free from discrimination, stigma, and violence, including those related to menstruation and sexual abuse.

Editing by Oluwaseyi Ajibade