Abuja, May 18, 2026
Teenage girls in several underprivileged communities within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed concern over the difficulty in accessing menstrual hygiene products, a situation that has compelled many to rely on unsafe and unhygienic alternatives during their menstrual cycles.
Many of the affected girls said the challenge has also contributed to frequent school absenteeism during their periods.
A visit by a reporter to communities such as Pigba-Kasa, Waru, Tasha in Apo and the Mechanic Village area revealed that poverty, lack of parental support and the rising cost of sanitary pads are worsening menstrual hygiene conditions among vulnerable girls.
Seventeen-year-old Favor Hosea said she has struggled to afford sanitary pads since she began menstruating at the age of 13.
She explained that after losing her father and living with a mother who is unable to provide for her, she now depends on her grandmother who also has limited means.
According to her, she often relies on friends for sanitary pads, and when none are available, she stays at home and resorts to inadequate self-care due to lack of alternatives.
Another resident, Patience Kingsley from Pigba-Kasa, appealed for government intervention and support from organisations to help provide menstrual hygiene materials for girls in need.
In the same community, Ojimadu Victoria said access to sanitary pads is inconsistent and depends on occasional support from relatives, adding that she sometimes uses cloth when pads are unavailable.
In Waru community, 14-year-old Waliyat Muftau said she has never used sanitary pads since she began menstruating four years ago due to financial hardship at home.
She explained that her family struggles to afford basic needs, forcing her to miss school on some days and rely on cloth as an alternative.
She appealed for assistance from government and other stakeholders to provide sanitary products and related hygiene support.
Also speaking, Favor Udoji from Tasha community said she alternates between pads and reusable cloth depending on what she can afford, noting that lack of soap sometimes makes proper hygiene difficult.
In Mechanic Village, Chinemerem Joseph said she depends on her aunt for sanitary pads, but resorts to cloth when supplies run out before the next visit.
Other girls interviewed disclosed that they sometimes use tissue paper or go without any form of protection due to lack of access to menstrual products.
They collectively called for support from government agencies, NGOs and private stakeholders to improve access to menstrual hygiene supplies for vulnerable girls.
A public health practitioner and founder of SheHealed Health and Advocacy Initiative, Jacinta Auta, attributed the situation largely to poverty and the high cost of sanitary products in low-income communities.
She noted that many families struggling to meet basic needs often do not prioritise menstrual products.
Auta also pointed to inadequate menstrual education and cultural stigma as barriers preventing open discussion about menstruation in some communities.
She added that poor access to clean water, private toilets and proper sanitation facilities in schools further worsens the challenges faced by girls.
According to her, the rising cost of sanitary pads has pushed some girls to adopt unsafe alternatives such as old cloths and tissue paper, increasing the risk of infections and discomfort.
She further observed that many girls miss school during menstruation due to a lack of proper hygiene materials and facilities.
Auta therefore urged government and stakeholders to subsidise menstrual products, improve hygiene education and provide girl-friendly sanitation facilities in schools and communities.
She also called for stronger collaboration between NGOs, private organisations and community groups to expand menstrual health support and awareness programmes, stressing that improved menstrual hygiene is essential to protecting the health, dignity and education of girls.