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The Reality

THE REALITY

 

Over 500 million people worldwide do not have access to safe menstrual products, clean water and waste management facilities to manage their periods with dignity. This phenomenon is called period poverty, and in Nigeria, it keeps over 80% of secondary school girls out of school during their periods, serving as one of the main impediments to quality education. But period poverty is not just this.

Period poverty is also a lack of adequate and positive menstrual education for everyone. In Nigeria, as in other patriarchal African societies, periods are often associated with impurity. The perpetuation of myths and misguided beliefs about menstruation has produced a culture of period shame and discrimination against menstruating girls and women.

The effect of period poverty is far-reaching. The lack of positive menstrual education for all, including men and boys, sustains myths and taboos about periods. This, in turn, feeds period shame and discrimination, which could result in social alienation for menstruating girls across generations.

Reports have shown that many girls did not know about menstruation before their menarche. Inadequate menstrual education for girls can lead to poor menstrual hygiene and complex health issues. In addition to school absenteeism, an inability to afford safe menstrual products can push girls towards substituting with undignifying alternatives like leaves, tissues and rags, which could leave them stained, worsening existing period shame.

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