FG Launches National Menstrual Hygiene Campaign to Support 370,000 Schoolgirls

T The Federal Government has unveiled a nationwide menstrual hygiene campaign aimed at empowering schoolgirls and ensuring uninterrupted education for girls in rural and underserved communities.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, said the initiative would directly benefit over 370,000 schoolgirls, each of whom will receive a one-year supply of disposable sanitary pads to promote regular school attendance and improve menstrual health.

Dr. Alausa emphasized that the programme goes beyond pad distribution, noting that it will deliver comprehensive menstrual hygiene education across schools, communities, and homes. The initiative will also seek to dismantle harmful taboos and myths surrounding menstruation. Teachers, health educators, and school counselors will undergo specialized training to offer accurate information and emotional support to students.

The Minister revealed that the Federal Ministry of Education, through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), will integrate menstrual health education into school curricula, enhance Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, and promote the establishment of safe spaces and girls’ clubs in schools.

In a demonstration of inter-ministerial collaboration, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Pate, announced that the ministry would provide a special grant to bolster the campaign’s implementation.

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment, the First Lady pledged continued support for policies and programmes that enable every Nigerian girl to attend school with dignity, confidence, and equal opportunity — free from stigma and barriers that hinder education.

Source: X | @DrTunjiAlausa