In Nigeria, millions of women and girls face the dire consequences of period poverty, with the soaring prices of sanitary pads exacerbating the situation. According to former Minister of Women’s Affairs, Pauline Tallen, over 37 million Nigerian females grapple with the challenge of accessing menstrual hygiene products, significantly impacting their ability to work, study, and participate in daily life.
In a probing investigation by Sunday Vanguard, the harsh realities of this crisis come to light. For women like Mrs. Joy Anyanwu, a single mother of three teenage girls, the burden of providing sanitary pads amidst financial constraints is overwhelming. With her daughters resorting to using rags during menstruation due to unaffordable hygiene products, their education and social participation are severely compromised.
The high cost of sanitary pads not only perpetuates period poverty but also poses serious health risks, as women and girls are forced to resort to unhygienic alternatives, putting them at risk of genital tract infections.
As Nigeria grapples with this pressing issue, urgent action is needed to ensure menstrual hygiene products are accessible and affordable for all, safeguarding the health, dignity, and rights of women and girls across the country.
