By Joke Falaju
The Federal Government is stepping up efforts to create a comprehensive policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM). At an engagement in Abuja supported by WaterAid Nigeria and Population Services International, Minister of Women Affairs Uju Kennedy-Ohaneye stated that addressing menstrual health and hygiene is crucial for the health, dignity, and empowerment of women and girls.
The government aims to develop a national policy on MHHM to tackle issues such as hygiene, accessibility, education, and stigma. The ultimate goal is to make MHHM a central focus of intervention programs for women and girls, recognizing it as both a human rights and gender issue.
Technical working group members from various government agencies are encouraged to contribute their diverse knowledge to enrich the policy development process. The meeting emphasized the importance of supporting women and girls to manage their menstrual hygiene safely and with dignity, ensuring they can participate fully in daily activities without hindrance.
Government and stakeholders are urged to collaborate on a policy that promotes menstrual hygiene for all, eliminating barriers based on a natural biological process.