From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has called on all Nigerians to join hands with the organization to end period poverty as the world marks Menstrual Health Day (MHD) on 28 May 2024.
In a statement signed by AHF Head of Advocacy and Marketing, Steve Aborisade, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi, AHF highlighted the global issue of period poverty, affecting an estimated 500 million people who menstruate out of 1.8 billion globally.
The organisation lamented that the lack of access to menstrual health products, safe and clean facilities, and accepting communities, along with stigma, can lead to poor health outcomes, missing school or work, and adverse effects on mental health.
“This Menstrual Health Day let’s end period poverty and end the stigma,” the statement read.
AHF has organised events in Abuja, Uyo, and Makurdi for 28 May to fight period poverty and eliminate the harmful stigma surrounding menstruation. These events will include distributing free sanitary pads and advocating for effective menstrual health management.
“This year, AHF Nigeria is having a multi-state commemoration to reach more young women and girls with menstrual health education and awareness and distribute free sanitary pads to as many girls as we can reach out to in our states of operation,” Aborisade said.
He added that AHF Nigeria is also working with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to distribute free sanitary pads to young women and girls in communities across their program states.
AHF officials, in collaboration with partners, will host engaging outreach events in Abuja, Uyo, and Makurdi to provide awareness and education about menstrual health management issues and distribute free sanitary pads. There will also be live radio engagements in these locations to propagate menstrual health management education widely.
“To end period poverty, AHF Nigeria is poised to place menstrual health issues as a key national agenda, and it is in this regard that we are committing resources to creating greater awareness in the general population and bringing different stakeholders to join the conversation,” said Dr Eche Ijezie, AHF Nigeria Country Program Director.
“Young women and girls, irrespective of their location or social status must be able to have their periods in a safe and conducive environment and without the difficulties that a lack of access to sanitary products presently constitutes,” the statement quoted Ijezie.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, currently provides medical care and/or services to over 1.9 million clients in 46 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region and Europe.