The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Oyo State Government have reiterated the urgent need to raise awareness on menstrual hygiene and improve access to sanitary facilities in schools across the state, as part of efforts to promote girls’ education and well-being.
Speaking at a media dialogue held in Ibadan to mark the 2025 World Menstrual Hygiene Day, UNICEF officials underscored how inadequate sanitary infrastructure continues to affect school attendance among girls, with many forced to drop out due to the challenges of managing menstruation safely.
Mrs. Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, a Social and Behaviour Change Specialist with UNICEF, called for coordinated action by policymakers, educators, and community leaders to eliminate the barriers that prevent girls from managing their menstrual health with dignity.
“Lack of access to clean water, hygiene facilities, and menstrual products can be life-threatening and disruptive to education. We must address these challenges holistically,” she said.
Akinola-Akinwole emphasised the importance of breaking the silence around menstruation, eradicating stigma, and integrating menstrual health education into school curricula. She also advocated for wider access to affordable sanitary products and health education tools.
“Girls must be encouraged to see menstruation as a normal and healthy part of life. We need men and boys to also become allies by challenging the stigma and respecting the experiences of girls,” she added.
She further urged the Oyo State Government to actively engage communities where cultural taboos continue to impose harmful restrictions on menstruating girls.
Supporting the call for reform, UNICEF WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) Specialist Mr. Monday Johnson said misinformation and myths surrounding menstruation could be tackled through targeted school-based awareness campaigns. He called on media organisations to use their platforms to promote menstrual hygiene as a basic human right.
“Menstrual hygiene is not a luxury—it is a necessity. No girl should be marginalised for something as natural as her period,” Johnson said. He also encouraged sanitary product manufacturers to ensure affordability and accessibility for girls from low-income families.
In his remarks, Oyo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, reaffirmed the state’s longstanding partnership with UNICEF, which spans over three decades. He assured continued government commitment to initiatives aimed at empowering girls and improving public health outcomes.
“UNICEF has been a steadfast development partner, and we remain committed to supporting programmes that uplift our children and youth, particularly in health and education,” Oyelade said.
The event ended with a renewed pledge by stakeholders to promote inclusive policies, foster menstrual health education, and ensure that girls in Oyo State can learn, thrive, and lead without being held back by menstrual challenges.
