Girls in FCT communities decry poor access to sanitary pads

Girls in some underserved communities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, forcing many to resort to unsafe alternatives during menstruation. The girls said the situation has also caused many of them to miss school during their menstrual periods. A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent […]

Girls in some underserved communities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have decried the lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, forcing many to resort to unsafe alternatives during menstruation.

The girls said the situation has also caused many of them to miss school during their menstrual periods.

A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent who visited communities including Pigba-Kasa, Waru, Tasha in Apo and the Mechanic Village area observed that rising poverty, lack of parental support and the increasing cost of sanitary pads were worsening menstrual hygiene challenges among vulnerable girls.

One of the girls interviewed, 17-year-old Favor Hosea, said she had struggled to access sanitary pads since she began menstruating at age 13.

According to her, the death of her father and the absence of her mother left her dependent on her grandmother, who could barely cater for her needs.

“When I ask for money for pads, nobody cares about it. One of my friends usually gives me pads for the four days my period lasts.

“But when she cannot help me, I stay at home and wear only my underwear, washing often because I have nothing to use,” she said.

Similarly, Patience Kingsley from Pigba-Kasa community appealed to the government and well-meaning individuals to support girls with menstrual hygiene products.

Another resident of the community, Ojimadu Victoria, said she did not have access to sanitary pads every month.

“When my aunt has money, she buys pads for me, but not always. I learnt from my elder sister how to use cloth as an alternative when pads are unavailable,” she said.

In Waru community, an emotional Waliyat Muftau said she had never used sanitary pads since she began menstruating four years ago because her family could barely afford food.

“My family cannot afford food all the time, so I cannot ask for money to buy pads. Some days I miss school because I have nothing to use.

“I use cloth, but I want the government and other stakeholders to help girls like me with pads and detergents during menstruation,” she pleaded.

Also speaking, Favor Udoji from Tasha community in Apo said she alternated between sanitary pads and rags due to financial constraints.

Some other girls interviewed disclosed that they sometimes used tissue paper or nothing at all during menstruation because of lack of access to sanitary products.

They appealed to government, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders to support vulnerable girls with menstrual hygiene materials.

Speaking on the development, Jacinta Auta, a community health practitioner and founder of SheHealed Health and Advocacy Initiative, identified affordability as one of the major barriers to menstrual hygiene management among girls in low-income communities.

According to her, many families struggling to meet basic needs often consider sanitary pads a luxury rather than a necessity.

“Another challenge is lack of awareness and menstrual education, especially in communities where menstruation is still treated as a taboo subject.

“We also see poor access to menstrual-friendly sanitation facilities in some schools and rural communities,” she said.

Auta, who is also the convener of the Pad a Girl outreach initiative in Kwali Area Council, noted that the rising cost of sanitary products had further worsened the situation for girls from poor homes.

“Some girls are forced to use unsafe alternatives such as old clothes, tissue paper or other unhygienic materials, exposing them to infections and discomfort.

“For families with multiple female children, providing pads every month has become increasingly difficult,” she added.

She stressed that addressing menstrual hygiene challenges was essential to promoting the health, dignity and education of girls across the FCT. (NAN)