By Adeyinka Adeniran
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Oyo State Government has engaged media practitioners and stakeholders on the need to increase advocacy in other to promote more awareness on menstrual hygiene as a right for women and the girl-child.
This is as the organisations called for increased access to toilet facilities, laterines and water points among other required sanitary infrastructures in schools, noting that the current situation across schools is having a negative impact on the women and girl-child, especially when they menstruate during school hours.
They lamented that the situation had forced many girl-child to skip school while some have dropped out of school due to negative experiences, hence the need to form collaboration in fighting against any form of menstrual stigma against women and girl child and promote health equity.
The advise form part of issues raised during a media dialogue organized by Oyo state government through its Ministry of Information and Orientation in collaboration with UNICEF, held at the Film Theatre, Ministry of Information and Orientation, Secretariat, Ibadan, as part of activities to mark the 2025 World Menstrual Hygiene Day. The celebration was themed: “Together for a Period Friendly World”.
The media dialogue which brought together journalists, government officials, and health experts aimed to champion menstrual hygiene as a fundamental human right of women and girls.
In her remarks, the Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, UNICEF, Mrs. Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole solicited support from policy makers, opinion moulders, government, organizations, parents and other stakeholders, to address the issue on a proper way to enable girls have safe menstrual cycles, especially those in schools.
According to her, unsafe water and lack of basic hygiene and sanitation has caused the deaths of many girls, within the state.
While she asserted UNICEF’s commitment to improved sanitation facilities in schools, she urged all stakeholders to focus on breaking down stigma and myths surrounding menstruation, ensuring access to supplies of sanitary pads, and providing education to promote healthy hygiene practices.
Akinola-Akinwole advised girls not to be shy during menstruation, rather they should celebrate themselves as contributors to the sustainability of humanity. She called on men to speak against stigmatization, urging them to promote the dignity of girls during their menstruation.
She said, “Media advocacy around period poverty is quite important. Schools must work on educating pupils and their curriculum should include menstrual hygiene to teach pupils about menstrual hygiene.”
She appealed to the Oyo state government to wade in by educating ancient communities with stringent rules against girls during menstruation.
Also speaking, UNICEF Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) specialist, Mr. Monday Johnson stated that an appropriate menstrual awareness programme in schools would put a rest to many myths surrounding menstruation, involving the commitment of the media, Ministries, stakeholders.
He said UNICEF in partnership with the government aims at increasing awareness on menstrual hygiene health, just as he called on manufacturers of sanitary pads to make their products accessible and affordable to girls.
He highlighted the stark statistics on menstrual health in Nigeria, noting that only 24 per cent of girls have access to basic hygiene resources.
He said, “Menstruation is not a women’s issue; it’s a human rights issue. About 23 per cent of girls lack access to clean water, and between one per cent to 10 per cent miss school during their periods.
“Government must subsidise menstrual products and ensure schools have clean, private sanitation facilities. Menstrual hygiene is the right of our girls and they must not be pushed back because of mensuration.”
He also called for cultural reform, emphasising the need to shift harmful narratives that shame girls for menstruating.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade appreciated UNICEF, who he said has been a partner with the Oyo State government for over 35/40 years.
He promised the commitment of the Oyo state government to developmental strategic partnerships with UNICEF.
Speaking on the year’s theme: “Together for a Period Friendly World”, Prince Oyelade said menstruation should never be a barrier to education or opportunity for any girl or women in the society.
He praised UNICEF for its ongoing support in advancing girls’ health and dignity and encouraged media professionals to advocate affordable and accessible menstrual health solutions.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Ijeoma Agbo, Health Specialist at UNICEF, Lagos Field Office, stressed the intersection of menstrual hygiene and public health.
“Every school should be a safe, inclusive space where girls don’t have to hide their periods or miss out on education. This is not just a health issue—it is about equality and respect,” she said.
Highpoint of the dialogue was the call for expanded community education programs, increased male involvement, and policy integration of menstrual health into national health and education frameworks.
The dialogue concluded with a collective resolution urging stronger government commitment, budgetary support, and the inclusion of menstrual hygiene in school health programmes and national policy.
