One phrase that persistently played out throughout the commemoration of the 2024 World Menstrual Hygiene Day is period poverty, leaving many to wonder what exactly that meant. Period poverty describes the struggle many low-income women and girls face while trying to afford sanitary pads for their menstrual cycles. The term also refers to the increased economic vulnerability women and girls face due to the financial burden posed by the affordability of menstrual product supplies.
While some women in the reproductive age bracket 15 to 45 years may not experience period poverty, many less privileged women do. Hear the story of Jane Coker who says for her to be able to have menstrual pads monthly: “I cut and use a small portion of an old mattress in my home”. Similarly, some girls who cannot afford to buy pads simply resort to using rags to improvise; such experiences are common in the Nigerian environment.
These are part of the reasons stakeholders and advocates have been calling for federal and state governments’ intervention in this sector. They believe that such assistance when it comes, no doubt can provide succour for women and girls that need the help. These are some of the highlights of the one-day Conference on Menstrual Hygiene 2024, which was organised by a non-governmental organisation, CEE-HOPE Nigeria.
Although, the event presented the realities of period poverty, it also focussed on general hygiene issues, rape awareness, girl leadership, the pursuit of excel.
