WaterAid Nigeria has urged the Federal Government to ensure the prompt implementation of the country’s first National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM), which was recently approved.
The organisation’s Country Director, Evelyn Mere, made the call in a statement on Friday in Abuja.
Mere congratulated the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the National Technical Working Group (TWG) on MHHM and other stakeholders on developing and approving the policy.
She said the approval was a significant milestone in promoting menstrual health, dignity, gender equality and the rights of women and girls.
According to Mere, the policy provides a framework for addressing challenges such as inadequate access to accurate information, safe and affordable menstrual products, and appropriate sanitation and hygiene facilities.
She said it would also promote supportive environments in schools, workplaces and communities, ensuring that menstruation did not hinder the health, education or participation of women and girls.
Mere attributed the policy’s development to collaboration among government institutions, development partners, civil society organisations, technical experts and other stakeholders.
She said WaterAid Nigeria contributed by engaging a consultant, organising consultative sessions and participating in the validation of the draft policy.
Mere said the organisation was pleased that its contributions had helped produce a policy that would integrate menstrual health and hygiene management into Nigeria’s national development agenda.
She urged the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs, the TWG and other stakeholders to turn the policy’s provisions into actionable plans and strengthen accountability for implementation at all levels.
“With the MHHM Policy now approved, the Federal Government and all stakeholders must widely disseminate it and diligently follow through by ensuring the adequate deployment of human, material and financial resources for results-oriented implementation.
“This will ensure that menstrual products are available, accessible and affordable so that every woman and girl in Nigeria can manage menstruation safely, with dignity and without stigma,” she said.
Mere reaffirmed WaterAid Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive policymaking, institutional strengthening and creating an enabling environment in which women and girls can manage menstruation safely, confidently and without stigma.
Mere reaffirmed WaterAid Nigeria’s commitment to inclusive policymaking, institutional strengthening and creating an enabling environment where women and girls could manage menstruation safely, confidently and without stigma.
