Health

What Menstrual Health Means to Nigerian Girls from Low-Income Families in 2024

Published

2 years ago

May 29, 2024

By Margaret Aladeselu, Nguvu Collective Change Leader

Period poverty affects many girls and women from low-income families in Nigeria. While economic challenges often take precedence over social issues, the silent struggle of period poverty remains largely unacknowledged. In fact, many people are not even aware of what period poverty is. Simply put, it refers to the inability of menstruators to afford sanitary products, which impedes their ability to manage their menstrual health with dignity and ease.

Period poverty affects millions of girls and women in Nigeria, particularly those from low-income and marginalised communities. In 2022, recognising the need for change, I took the initiative to launch a petition and lead a campaign on menstrual hygiene in Nigeria, urging tax exemption on sanitary products and access to indispensable menstrual hygiene provisions for every woman, with the aim of finding sustainable solutions for countless young women in Nigeria, who experience inadequate access to essential menstrual hygiene resources due to financial constraints. The potential impact of this campaign is significant: it would not only alleviate the financial burden on menstruators but also foster greater accessibility to sanitary pads and tampons for young girls and women across the nation.

The recent economic downturn has significantly worsened the alarming situation of individuals living in poverty. The rising costs of living, coupled with the depreciation of currency values, have rendered basic necessities, such as sanitary pads, increasingly unaffordable for many, resulting in a sharp increase in period poverty. As a result, the number of girls who can no longer afford sanitary products has likely doubled, making menstrual hygiene a luxury that many low-income families can no longer afford.

To address this issue, I co-founded Period Padi, an NGO dedicated to ending period poverty one girl at a time, and we organised an outreach program to provide free menstrual products to school girls from low-income families. Our goal is to reach at least 1,000 girls by the end of the year. During our first outreach program, we had the opportunity to speak with some of the girls and understand their perspectives on menstrual health. Unfortunately, their responses were not encouraging. Many of them expressed a sense of resignation, with some admitting to using rags or toilet paper in the absence of sanitary pads. The free pads we provided, although in small quantities, were a huge relief for them.

However, addressing period poverty goes beyond simply distributing free pads; it depends on policymakers taking action to prioritise the well-being of menstruators and removing taxes on sanitary products. Unfortunately, many people don’t realise how big of an issue this is for millions of girls in Nigeria. But for me, it’s personal. I see these girls struggling every day, with their families barely able to afford food, let alone menstrual products. It’s time we all recognise the urgency of this problem and work together to find solutions.

As we reflect on World Menstrual Health Day, let us not only acknowledge the stark realities of period poverty but also commit to concerted action. By prioritising menstrual health as a fundamental human right, we can catalyse transformative change and pave the way for a more equitable and dignified future for all Nigerian girls and women.

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Health

Football Legends to Light Up Nigeria in NICRAT’s World Soccer Legends Cancer Match

Published

1 month ago

September 2, 2026

The Gleamer

By Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is set to witness a football spectacle as some of the world’s greatest football legends converge for the First World Soccer Legends War Against Cancer International Charity Football Match Nigeria 2026.

The star-studded event, backed by the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), is designed to combine football entertainment with a major campaign to raise cancer awareness, promote early detection and mobilise resources for prevention and treatment.

The initiative, themed “Play for Prevention, Score for Life,” was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja with the official launch of the event logo, kits and a 60-day countdown to the international charity match.

The campaign is expected to feature former international football stars while bringing together cancer advocates, government institutions, corporate organisations, development partners and other stakeholders in a united effort against the disease.

Speaking on behalf of NICRAT Director-General, Prof. Usman Aliyu, Dr Margaret Sawyer said the institute was supporting the initiative because of its potential to take cancer-awareness messages to millions of Nigerians.

She said the campaign would go beyond fundraising by educating Nigerians on cancer prevention, early detection and the need to seek medical attention promptly.

According to her, football offers a unique platform for reaching diverse communities, while the influence of football legends could help deliver important health messages to a wider audience.

Earlier, National Coordinator of the Main Organising Committee (MOC), Mr Jacob Onu, said the event was conceived to transcend the boundaries of sport and evolve into a national and international movement against cancer.

Onu said the participation of former football stars would amplify messages on cancer prevention, screening, treatment, research and support for patients and survivors.

He added that the event would also celebrate life, honour those who had lost their lives to cancer and inspire survivors and people currently battling the disease.

“Together, through football, compassion and collective action, we can win the War Against Cancer,” he said.

Onu called on Nigerians across the 774 local government areas to become ambassadors of the campaign by promoting healthy lifestyles, regular medical checks and early medical intervention.

He also appealed to corporate organisations, philanthropists, international organisations, football stakeholders, media organisations and development partners to support the initiative.

The MOC coordinator commended NICRAT, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), sponsors, partners and other stakeholders for their support.

He assured that the organising committee would deliver an event capable of meeting international standards while creating a lasting legacy in cancer awareness, advocacy, humanitarian support and sports development.

In his goodwill message, President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Engr. Habu Gumel, expressed concern over the rising global cancer burden and called for sustained action beyond the charity match.

Gumel urged the organisers to extend the campaign beyond Abuja to communities across the 36 states, while calling on governments at all levels to strengthen cancer prevention, screening and treatment.

The NOC president pledged his support for the initiative and encouraged Nigerians to make regular cancer screening and periodic health checks a priority.

Also speaking, Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at NICRAT, Dr Usman Mohammed Waziri, reaffirmed the institute’s determination to ensure that the initiative produces a positive and lasting impact on Nigeria’s cancer-control efforts.

With the 60-day countdown officially underway, organisers said the World Soccer Legends Cancer Match would combine the excitement of football with humanitarian action, using the power and influence of football legends to drive a nationwide campaign against cancer.

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