The Wife of Kogi State Governor, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, has called for increased efforts to make menstrual hygiene products more accessible and affordable for girls and women, particularly those living in rural communities.
In a message marking the 2026 International Menstrual Hygiene Day, the First Lady emphasised the importance of ensuring that every girl and woman has access to sanitary products, describing menstrual hygiene as a critical component of health, dignity, and empowerment.
Hajia Sefinat expressed concern about the persistent challenges in menstrual health management in Nigeria, despite various interventions to improve access to sanitary products.
According to her, factors such as poverty, limited availability of sanitary materials, and prevailing social and cultural barriers continue to hinder many girls and women from maintaining proper menstrual hygiene.
She noted that the consequences of poor menstrual hygiene extend beyond health concerns, affecting the education, confidence, and overall well-being of young girls.
“We are aware of the stereotypes, stigma, and loss of self-esteem associated with poor menstrual hygiene in our communities. When these items are unavailable to our girls, they miss school, and their social and emotional well-being suffers. We cannot afford to allow this to continue,” she stated.
The First Lady commended Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for distributing 10,000 sanitary pads to schoolgirls in Kogi State through the Renewed Hope Initiative’s “Flow with Confidence” project.
She said the intervention has significantly reduced the financial burden on beneficiaries, providing support that could last up to one year.
Hajia Sefinat also encouraged girls to remain committed to their education, stressing that investment in the education of women and girls remains one of the most effective tools for economic empowerment and social development.
She further urged governments, development partners, private organisations, and community leaders to sustain efforts to improve menstrual health awareness and access to sanitary products nationwide.
International Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed annually to raise awareness of menstrual health and hygiene, and to promote policies and programmes that support menstrual hygiene management and gender equality worldwide.
