By Justina Auta
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), an NGO, has called for an end to shame and stigma on 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 said the organisation has called for availability of period products and safe facilities without discrimination.
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.
According to the statement, ”Everyone globally must end the stigma on periods for the 1.8 billion people who menstruate worldwide, while prioritising end to 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, safe and clean facilities, in 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.
Ms Guillermina Alaniz, AHF Director of Global Advocacy and Policy, said, “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, has 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 prioritise menstrual health worldwide, particularly in lower-income countries, as young indigent women and girls could be threatened of 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 have 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, 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 in Keffi, Nasarawa state, for a community rally and sensitization.
“Young women and adolescents’ girls with boys would be sensitised on menstrual health talk and the distribution of free sanitary pads to participants.
AHF is the largest global AIDS organization which currently provides medical care and services to over 1.7 million clients in 45 countries worldwide including Nigeria.
