The Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC) has renewed its call for stronger policies and increased investment in menstrual health, gender equality, and girls’ empowerment as the world marks the 2025 International Day of the Girl Child.
WARDC, founded in 2002 by human rights lawyer and activist Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, is a Nigerian non-governmental organisation that champions women’s rights, gender equality, social justice, and democratic governance through advocacy, policy reform, and community engagement.
In a statement on Sunday, the organisation aligned with this year’s national theme from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs — “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Front Lines of Crisis” — and urged governments, civil society, and communities to address period poverty and promote menstrual hygiene, particularly in rural areas.
Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi stressed that empowering girls with health, dignity, and justice is key to achieving gender equality and sustainable development.
We must break the culture of silence and stigma surrounding menstruation. No girl should be left behind because of a natural biological process,” she said.
Despite progress in education and healthcare, millions of Nigerian girls still face period poverty — the lack of access to sanitary products, safe hygiene facilities, or adequate menstrual education.
“Reports show that one in ten girls in Africa misses school during her period, and about 25% of Nigerian schoolgirls do not have access to safe menstrual hygiene products. In rural areas, the situation is worse because basic water and sanitation facilities are often unavailable,” Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi explained.
According to WARDC, period poverty has serious effects, including frequent school absenteeism, emotional distress, higher infection risks, early school dropouts, and child marriage.
The group commended Bauchi State for establishing a Menstrual Bank that provides free sanitary products to girls in schools and underserved communities, describing the initiative as a model worth replicating nationwide.
“The Bauchi Menstrual Bank is a bold and commendable step. It shows a deep understanding of how menstrual health connects to education and girls’ empowerment. We urge other state governments to adopt and expand this model,” Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi said.
WARDC also called for increased budget allocations for girls’ health and hygiene programmes, as well as community sensitisation and male involvement to end menstrual stigma.
“Menstrual health is not just a women’s issue — it’s a national development issue. Girls cannot lead change if they are denied dignity. Empowering them with education, safety, and health builds a stronger nation,” she added.
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Reaffirming its commitment to advancing the rights and voices of girls, WARDC pledged to continue promoting legal advocacy, policy reform, and community mobilisation to protect girls’ dignity and rights.
“When girls are empowered, societies thrive. Girls are not just victims of crisis; they are leaders and innovators. It’s time we fight stigma and protect every girl’s right to live with dignity,” Dr. Akiyode-Afolabi concluded.
Globally, menstrual health is now recognised as a human rights and public health issue, directly linked to education, gender equality, and economic participation. However, in Nigeria, the absence of a national menstrual health policy has limited the consistency of interventions across states, leaving many girls — especially in rural communities — vulnerable to stigma, school absenteeism, and poor reproductive health outcomes.
