Some female students in Nasarawa State have called on the governments at all levels to provide good toilets and sanitary pads in schools to help tackle menstrual stigma and improve access to hygiene support for young girls.
The girls made their feelings known at the campaign organised by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to mark the World Menstrual Health Day 2026.
Speaking with Saturday Telegraph at the event in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Victoria Samson, 15, stressed that the gesture would help the students, particularly the girls improve on personal hygiene and the dangers of reusing pads.
She said: “We urge the government to provide toilets and sanitary pads in schools to arrest menstrual stigma and improve access to hygiene support for young girls.”
On her part, Catherine Ogogi, 16, said she gained new knowledge on reusable pads and proper disposal methods, and asked for free emergency pads and stronger efforts to address menstrual myths.
The Gender Focal Person, in the state’s Ministry of Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, Halima Aliyu Omaku, in her remarks, stressed the need for coordinated action to ensure girls can manage menstruation safely, affordably, and with dignity.
Omaku, who described the initiative as timely and impactful, noted that menstruation remains a global issue affecting millions of women and girls who continue to face stigma, discrimination, and inadequate information.
“It is a privilege to be part of the 2026 menstrual health, stigma and hygiene campaign. “This programme provides enlightenment and education on issues many people still struggle to discuss openly.
“We have a lot of work to do in changing harmful norms and perceptions around menstruation,” Omaku said. Drawing from her own experience of growing up without access to this information, Omaku urged participants to become advocates for menstrual health in their communities.
