Did you know that there is a culture of shame around menstruation?

In some climes, people who menstruate are ostracised from basic activities, like eating certain foods and socialising. Many cultures see menstruation as dirty and something that people should hide.

This deep-rooted cultural problem exacerbates the challenges faced by girls and women who menstruate.

More so, adolescent girls and women in communities find it persistently challenging to access and afford menstrual products. In many cases, they cannot attend school, work or participate in daily life. There is also limited education and sensitisation about menstrual hygiene.

These complexities gave rise to the term Period Poverty- the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, proper sanitation facilities, and menstrual hygiene education.

Period Poverty is a pervasive issue affecting millions of women and girls worldwide.

A 2021 statistic reports that the following percentage of menstruators in these countries do not use sanitary pads: Congo: 17%, Kenya: 14%, Ghana: 10%, Ethiopia: 41%, Nigeria: 37%, Uganda: 36%.

In Nigeria, period poverty is a widespread issue, particularly in rural areas and among marginalised communities. Recent reports reveal that a significant percentage of girls miss school during menstruation due to a lack of access to sanitary products and proper facilities.

Why Is Period Poverty A Problem?

Poor menstrual hygiene incurs physical health risks and has been linked to reproductive and urinary tract infections, according to UNICEF. Young girls who do not receive education are more likely to be victims of child marriages and experience early pregnancy, malnourishment, domestic violence, and pregnancy complications because of this.

There is the case of the adverse effects of period shame- including disempowering and stigmatising girls and women, causing them to feel embarrassed about a normal biological process.

People unable to access menstrual products have reportedly resorted to using rags and toilet paper. Those unable to access these products in sufficient quantities have had to use them for longer periods than is safe. Using these alternative items or using the right products for more extended periods puts individuals at higher risk of urogenital infections- infections of the urinary and genital systems.

Addressing Period Poverty

A multi-faceted approach is needed to combat period poverty in Nigeria and across Africa. First, there is a critical need for comprehensive menstrual health education to break the silence and stigma surrounding menstruation. This education should include information on menstrual hygiene management, reproductive health, and the importance of access to menstrual products and proper sanitation facilities.

Then, policies must be enforced to make menstrual hygiene products and sanitation facilities easily accessible.

Furthermore, community engagement and empowerment programs can play a crucial role in challenging cultural taboos around menstruation to engender more positive attitudes towards menstruation.

By involving health educators, healthcare providers, policymakers, community leaders, and other actors, it is possible to create a supportive environment where menstruation is openly discussed, and women and girls are empowered to manage their periods with dignity and confidence.

 Let us take concerted action to break the silence around menstruation and ensure that every woman and girl has the resources and support needed to manage their periods safely and with dignity.