By Yetunde Oke
Stakeholders is the health sector have urged the government to make polices that will address factors hampering safe menstrual hygiene.
The stakeholders made this known at a media dialogue, organisation by Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF in commemoration of 2025 World Menstrual Hygiene Day, held in Ibadan.
UNICEF Water and Sanitation, WASH Specialist, Mr Monday Johnson, said for women and girls to have a safe menstrual hygiene, their rights to basic amenities such as access to toilets, water, education and affordability of menstrual products are imperative.
According to Mr Johnson, 24 percent of Nigeria schools lack adequate facilities for safe menstrual hygiene, 23 percent of rural women lack access to water and 1 in 10 Nigerian girls miss school due to menstruation.
Contributing, Social and Behavioral Change Specialist at UNICEF, Mrs Aderonke Akinola, urged the media to debunk myths and cultural beliefs around menstrual periods, through right information and influencing policies that would address challenges faced by women and girls.
Earlier, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade promised continuous support from the government in creating awareness about safe and happy menstruation.
Lectures and questions on menstruation were the highlights of the event.
