FAME Foundation has commended the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for leading the adoption of Nigeria first National Policy on Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM). The policy, which will run from 2025 to 2030, was officially endorsed on Friday, August 16, 2025, during a high-level validation meeting held in Abuja.

The policy was created in collaboration with other government ministries and agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners, and it provides a national framework to address the challenges women and girls face in managing their menstruation with dignity.

The policy sets out a direction to improve access to affordable menstrual products, strengthen water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in schools, integrate menstrual health education into learning spaces, and encourage communities to address stigma and harmful practices. A measure under the policy is the removal of tax on sanitary products through the recent Tax Reform Act, which is expected to reduce financial barriers for women and girls nationwide.

FAME Foundation notes that menstrual health has long affected the well-being, confidence, and educational opportunities of girls, especially those in rural areas and internally displaced persons’ camps. In response to these challenges, the Foundation has, for over eight years, organized menstrual health and hygiene outreach programs and workshops in schools and IDP communities. These have included education sessions on menstrual hygiene, training on the use and care of reusable sanitary pads, and community sensitization to dispel myths and misinformation. Through our PLAY it DREAM it initiative, FAME Foundation has worked with partners such as Laureus Sport for Good, London, to reach women and girls in Abuja and beyond.

Speaking on the launch, Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Executive Director, FAME Foundation said,

“This policy gives hope to every girl who has ever missed school because of her period. At FAME Foundation, we have seen firsthand how something as natural as menstruation can disrupt education and dignity when the right support is not in place. We believe this national commitment will open the door for communities, schools, and organizations like ours to work together so that menstruation is no longer a barrier but simply a part of life.”

FAME Foundation commends the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs for introducing this policy and placing menstrual health within the national development agenda. It also calls for effective implementation at the state and local government levels to ensure that the policy brings real change to schools, communities, and households. By combining government leadership with ongoing civil society action, Nigeria can create an environment where women and girls manage menstruation safely and confidently, without disruption to their education or daily lives.