By Palma Ileye
As the world marks the International Day of the Girl Child, the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, has joined millions of voices across Nigeria and the world in celebrating the power, resilience, and leadership of girls also calling for the urgent need to tackle period poverty, promote menstrual hygiene, and protect the dignity and rights of girls, especially in rural communities.
A statement signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Executive Director, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, WARDC, said, “We align with the 2025 theme: by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs: “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls On The Front Lines Of Crisis,” as we spotlight the urgent need to tackle period poverty, promote menstrual hygiene, and protect the dignity and rights of girls, especially in rural communities.”
WARDC stated that it will continue to champion gender equality and the rights of women and girls through legal advocacy, research, policy influence, and community engagement.
It stated, “Our work focuses on advancing girls’ access to education, healthcare, and protection from all forms of violence. We believe that every girl deserves to grow up with dignity, free from discrimination and stigma, especially around menstruation and sexual violence.”
The organization stated that despite progress in health and education, millions of Nigerian girls still face period poverty — the inability to access sanitary products, proper hygiene facilities, and comprehensive menstrual education.
It disclosed that reports show that 1 in 10 girls in Africa miss school during their periods, and up to 25% of Nigerian schoolgirls do not have access to safe menstrual hygiene products saying that the situation was even more dire in rural communities, where water and sanitation facilities are often non-existent.
“Period poverty leads to: Frequent school absenteeism; Shame and psychological trauma; Increased risk of reproductive tract infections; Early school dropout and child marriage; We must break the culture of silence and stigma surrounding menstruation and ensure no girl is left behind simply because of a natural biological process,” it stated.
WARDC applauded the recent establishment of a Menstrual Bank in Bauchi State—a first-of-its-kind intervention that provides free sanitary products to girls in schools and underserved communities.
It stated that this bold step reflects a deep understanding of the critical intersection between menstrual health and girls’ education and empowerment calling on other State Governments to replicate and expand this model to reach girls in every corner of the country.
In a call to action, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, said; “On this International Day of the Girl Child, WARDC makes the following urgent demands: Passage of a National Menstrual Health Policy and Law; Strengthened School Protocols to Prevent and Report Sexual Violence; Increase Budget Allocation for Girls’ Health and Hygiene Programs; Community Sensitization and Male Engagement; Data Collection and Research.”
Concluding she said, “Today, we reaffirm our belief that when girls are empowered, societies thrive. Girls are not just vulnerable victims of crisis — they are leaders, innovators, and change-makers. But to truly lead, they must be equipped with the basic tools of
dignity: education, safety, and health. Let us rise to this moment, break the silence, fight the stigma, and protect the rights of every girl to live with dignity.”
