NGO seeks end to shame, stigma on menstruation
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, has called for an end to shame and stigma around menstruation.
Mr. Steve Aborisade, Advocacy and Marketing Manager, AHF Nigeria, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja, ahead of the 2023 Menstrual Hygiene Day.
He called for the availability of period products and safe facilities without discrimination.
Supreme reports that the Menstrual Hygiene Day(MH Day) is celebrated annually on May 28, with 2023 global theme: “End The Stigma on Periods’’
The annual MH Day, is to highlight the importance of menstrual care, and raise awareness about issues faced by women and girls who do not have access to clean water and sanitary products.
Aborisade called on everyone globally to end the stigma of periods for the 1.8 billion people who menstruate worldwide while prioritizing ending period poverty in all countries.
“About a quarter of the world’s population menstruates, yet 500 million will experience period poverty or the lack of access to menstrual health products and safe and clean facilities in their communities.
“These barriers can lead to poor health outcomes, missing school or work by up to 20 per-cent as well as negative effects on mental health,’’ he said.
According to Ms Guillermina Alaniz, AHF Director of Global Advocacy and Policy, “Nothing can stop us from having periods.
“But the harmful stigma and discrimination around menstruation, along with the lack of access to menstrual health products and facilities, have the power to stop us from thriving and living healthy lives.
“It’s time to "end the stigma" on menstruation and ensure that period products and safe facilities are available to everyone without shame or discrimination,” she said.
Alaniz, however, stressed the need to prioritize menstrual health worldwide, particularly in lower-income countries, as young indigent women and girls could be threatened with being left behind due to inadequate safety around periods.
Dr. Eche Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director, said the Foundation would continue to advocate and ensure indigent young women and girls who lack access to sanitary products have unhindered access.
“It is important to note that AHF has been partnering with ministries and agencies of government to influence policies that support this goal across the states of our operation.
“We are poised to place menstrual health issues as a key national agenda item, hence committing resources to creating greater awareness in the general population and bringing different stakeholders to join the conversation.
“Young women and girls, irrespective of their location or social status, must have their periods in a safe and conducive environment without the difficulties that lack of access to sanitary products presently constitutes,” Ijezie said.
In commemoration of the 2023 MH Day, AHF country teams have planned empowering, entertaining, and educational `End the Stigma’ commemorative events.
“In Nigeria, the Foundation with her partners would convey to Keffi, Nasarawa State, for a community rally and sensitization.
`Young women and adolescents’ (girls and boys) would be sensitized on menstrual health talk and the distribution of free sanitary pads to participants.
Supreme reports that AHF is the largest global AIDS organization and currently provides medical care and services to over 1.7 million clients in 45 countries worldwide, including Nigeria.
