Menstrual Hygiene Is a Right, Not a Privilege

It’s 2025, yet far too many young girls in Nigeria are still using leaves, rags, tissue paper, or even newspaper to manage their periods. Not because they want to — but because they have no other choice. The lack of access to menstrual hygiene products is still a harsh reality, driven by poverty, ignorance, stigma, and silence.

On this Menstrual Hygiene Day, we at The Sokrit Foundation are reminded that our mission is more important than ever.

More Than Just a Health Issue

Menstrual hygiene is not just about access to sanitary pads. It’s about dignity, education, and equal opportunity. When a girl cannot manage her period safely and confidently, it affects her entire life — from missing school to feeling ashamed, to being vulnerable to infections and emotional trauma.

The Role of Education

Many girls don’t understand what menstruation is or how to manage it because no one has ever explained it to them — or worse, because they’ve been made to believe it’s something dirty or shameful. This lack of education fuels myths and leaves girls confused and afraid.

Through our Pad the Girl initiative, we’re working to change the narrative. We educate girls about their bodies, distribute menstrual hygiene kits, and create safe spaces for open conversations — all with the goal of restoring confidence and breaking the silence.

The Work Ahead

While we’ve made some progress, we still have a long way to go. Every outreach reminds us that while some girls are learning about menstrual health for the first time, others are still skipping school each month because they don’t have pads.

Join the Movement

Here’s how you can help:

• Donate to provide pads and hygiene kits for girls in underserved communities. A pack costs ₦600-800 ($0.5)

• Speak up to normalize period conversations and challenge harmful myths

Periods are not a problem. Silence is.

This Menstrual Hygiene Day, let’s do more together.