Author: David Arome, Editors: Estelle Mbadiwe and Kenneth Egwu, Data insight/ analysis: Faith Igwe-Uzor, Graphics design: Chinonso Vincent – Fri. 23 April 2023. 12:04 GMT +1
Adolescent age is a vital and transitional phase in the lives of young girls. This developmental stage is characterized by anatomical and physiological changes, one of the most glaring features that accompany the phase is puberty, which marks the beginning of menstruation. The understanding of the “what’s” and “how’s” of the period certainly come into play at this point. This critical stage necessitates extensive planning and attention to meet the health needs of young girls, particularly in the area of menstrual hygiene. Often times, the young girls are left on their own without a guide to educate them on the importance of menstrual hygiene, the use of sanitary pads, and the proper disposal of the sanitary pads after use.
Figure 1: Definition of Period Poverty
Source: Give Girls A Chance
Period poverty is a common trend and a real challenge among this important demographic in Nigeria as many of them cannot afford menstrual products, access menstrual health facilities, or manage their period with dignity due to the associated high cost. In Nigeria, about 25% of women (1), including girls, lack the resources to handle menstrual hygiene. In 2022, the cost of obtaining a pack of ten menstrual sanitary products ranged between N400 ($0.9) and N2000 ($4.50) (2), and based on the menstrual flow, women may use more than one packet for a month.
Although the president signed a 7.5% Value-Added Tax (VAT) free policy (3), on menstrual products made in Nigeria in 2020, this had a relatively small impact on reducing period poverty. Some of the attributable challenges linked to period poverty are fear, shame, unexpected menstruation stains and leaks, teasing by boys, and inability to manage physical symptoms that come with periods such as headaches, cramps, and nausea. These challenges are detrimental to the mental wellbeing of the girls as this can impact negative feelings like depression, low self-esteem and other mental health problems.
Figure 2: Data on the Burden of Period Poverty
Source: The World Bank, Action Aid, UNICEF, and The Borgen Project
Period poverty negatively affects the overall well-being of girls. Most girls who cannot afford menstrual products miss school during their periods. Their abstinence from school is further facilitated by a lack of hygiene facilities where they can easily change. According to studies, period poverty is the leading cause of school absenteeism(3). In sub-Saharan Africa alone, one in ten girls misses out on school (4), while others drop out due to period poverty. This put the girls at risk of early child marriage and exposure to early pregnancy. More specifically, when it comes to girls’ health, they are vulnerable to vaginal infections, unplanned pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases as a result of the use of dirty rags, unsuitable materials, and a lack of proper care, support, and even advice during their menstrual flow.
The adoption of sustainable ecosystem menstrual products, such as menstrual cups and reusable sanitary pads, as well as a project to teach girls how to make pads, have been widely touted as viable and best options for combating period poverty among adolescent girls.
Maintaining proper menstrual hygiene is vital to girls’ health, well-being, mobility, and productivity. It is important to understand that menstrual hygiene enables adolescent girls to reach their full potential. Period poverty is a significant public health threat that affects girls and young ladies in profound ways. Furthermore, we all have a role to play in combating period poverty and making a difference.
A Call to Action
Namibia’s removal of VAT from all menstrual products is a heroic move to curb the prevalent hardship caused by extra out-of-pocket expenditure on period materials (5). To achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3—Good Health and Wellbeing—there is an urgent need for the government to implement policies aimed at reducing the cost of sanitary wear to suit the financial capacity of the citizens. More awareness and discussions about menstruation are imperative to break the chain of stigmatization against girls. This will reduce the rate of school dropout among girls during menstruation. Private sector involvement in the fight against period poverty will ensure more equitable access to sanitary products. The Always Keeping Girls In School program by the Always sanitary manufacturers which has donated more than 13 million sanitary pads to 200,000 girls in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa is a perfect example (6). Altruistic gestures in the form of donations should also be encouraged among the affluent in Africa. Funding organizations should also make funding accessible for fledgling youth-led organizations to encourage more social interventions towards period poverty eradication.
In conclusion, period poverty is a threat to public health. Inaccessibility to menstrual wear severely affects young girl’s and women’s dignity, well-being, and engagement in social activities and education, as well as predisposing them to infections. This calls for more attention and efforts towards it. The government, private sectors and NGOs are key in the fight against period poverty, and this also extends to every member of society.
Ducit Blue Solutions (DBS) is a healthcare consulting company with a key focus on improving quality and patient safety through the use of data and improvement science. We achieve this through an impact-centred model while utilizing a tailor-made embedded approach for achieving defined outcomes, including change management. Our wide array of solutions includes the following: Data analytics and management; Monitoring and evaluation; Comprehensive demand-based capacity building and development; Data for strategic planning; Research and Development; Health system strengthening solutions; AMR embedded solutions.
Through data analysis, Ducit Blue Solutions can effectively map out the prevalence of period poverty in each state and region in Nigeria and Africa. This will be pivotal for government and policymakers in instituting interventions aimed at alleviating period poverty among girls. We can also monitor existing interventions to determine their potential to reach their target goals and offer the best alternative where necessary.
