IT was a chilly April morning in 2020 in Kerker, a village in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau State, a 13-year-old girl, Mary Yakubu, bent over the rich brown soil, carefully weeding the Irish potatoes farm alongside her parents, a daily routine that helped the family earn a living, when she felt pain in her lower abdomen.
“I didn’t want to alarm my parents,” Mary said who was recalling the first day she saw her menstrual flow, said. “I asked to be excused, and by evening, the pain had grown as I noticed blood stains on my wrapper.”
Mary’s eyes softened as she recalled how her mother walked to a small roadside wooden kiosk to collect a bar of toilet soap on credit, promising to pay back when their farm harvest came.
More than 133 million Nigerians living below the poverty line, that make menstrual expenses risk taking a backseat in family budgeting.
“My mother cut one of her cleanest wrappers, which she often tied to Church on Sundays, into rectangular strips. Each piece was folded carefully into thick layers to absorb the blood. Without a word, she handed them to me, showing me how to place them in my underwear,” Mary narrated.
Mary’s experience reflects the voices of 54.88 per cent of rural girls who use homemade reusable sanitary pads, compared to 36 per cent of urban girls who use homemade sanitary pads according to a comparative study on Menstrual Hygiene published on
National Library of Medicine.
Mary, now 18, in Senior Secondary School (SS3), revealed that she has only used two packs of sanitary pads in her life – both donated by different women at her school. She said she couldn’t afford pads, especially now that they cost as high as N2,000.
Rising cost of sanitary pads worsens poor menstrual hygiene.
Like Mary, over 37 million Nigerian women and girls cannot afford essential menstrual hygiene products as it is ranked one of the countries with the highest costs of sanitary products, a study by PlushCare revealed.
The platform said that it assessed the cost of a one-month supply of tampons, sanitary pads, and ibuprofen in local currencies at the lowest available prices across 107 countries before converting the amounts to US dollars.
Although the Finance Bill signed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020 exempted locally manufactured sanitary products from Value Added Tax (VAT), the policy has had little impact on reducing prices, the government didn’t remove import duties on raw materials used in production.
The bill clearly states that locally manufactured sanitary towels, pads and tampons are among the items to be covered under the VAT-exemption policy, which advocates have argued that without the exception of import duties, the VAT exception might not reflect in price.
The cost of sanitary pads has risen from an average of N450 in 2021 to about N2,000 in 2025, translating that the exception bill has no impact.
Faith Bala, 18, an SS3 student at a government school in Plateau State, said there were days she had to skip school due to her heavy menstrual flow, which required at least six sanitary pads daily for five days which she couldn’t afford.
“Even though my grandmother tried her best to buy pads for me when it was N400, there were times I had to use rags when she couldn’t afford them. But most of the time now, I use rags because pads are very expensive,” Faith told The ICIR.
Blessing Hussaini ,19, an SS-3 student in a government school in Bauchi State, recalled how her mother had to make sacrifices at times just to buy pads for her.
“There were times we didn’t have seasoning or essential ingredients at home, but my mother would give me the money to buy the economic pack just so I could go to school comfortably,” she said.
Happiness John, 16, an SS-3 student in a government school in Gombe, told The ICIR that menstrual pads are not her only challenge, as she wakes up at 5 am: every day to fetch water from a source a few miles away from her home.
“Some days, I don’t feel strong enough to fetch water, especially when on my period, but I have no choice but to walk the lonely path in the dark,” she said.
Hyeladeen Martins, 17, in Yola, Adamawa State, said she once had to use a handkerchief in school because there was no sanitary bank or pads in the school restrooms and the first aid box.
“I was not happy because the handkerchief was not clean, but I didn’t have a choice,” she said.
The neglected reality of schoolgirls
Stella Jerry, 19, sat stiffly at her desk, her hands clenched into fists on her lap. Just a few hours into the first session before break time, and the classroom air was thick. Her white over brown school uniform bore the betrayal of blood stain spreading across the back of her brown skirt again.
“This has been my experience every month since I started menstruating in 2022,” Stella said.
“My grandma can barely afford to buy pads for me, except on the rare occasions when some people come to distribute them at our school. I usually wait until all my classmates have left before going home.”
The Government Secondary School (GSS) student in Bauchi State said she often gets bruises between her thighs during menstruation due to friction while walking home from school.
“That’s why I sometimes missed school because of the cramps, headaches, and the discomfort of wearing a rag,” she said.
Stella represents 4 out of 10 girls who missed school because of their menstrual cycle, often due to lack of access to sanitary products and facilities.
Like Stella, Mary said she endured the sharp pains from bruises and blisters between her thighs each time she used rags to manage her menstrual flow.
“The rough texture of the fabric rubs against my skin, leaving me sore and uncomfortable,” she explained.
She said she walks carefully, wincing at every step to prevent the rag from falling off, while silently praying for her period to end quickly.
“The irritation worsens during long hours in school, making it difficult for me to concentrate in class,” she whispered.
On her part, Blessing lamented that using cheaper pads which cost only a little less than quality ones felt no different from using rags as they cause discomfort and have very low absorbent power.
“Often wrapped in flimsy plastic, the pads tear easily, offering little protection with thin, rough layers that barely absorb menstrual flow. The outer surface feels coarse against the skin, causing irritation and discomfort,” she explained.
Blessing is one of the 25 per cent of women in Nigeria that lack adequate privacy for menstrual hygiene management, access to clean materials, pain medication, and places to dispose of used products.
The 19-year-old lamented that the government school she attends does not have first aid for pain medication and a functional rest room.
“We don’t have a functional toilet facility, so we often use the bushes to ease ourselves. I try my best to be very active in class even when the headache and stomach pain starts, because we don’t have medication in my school to take care of that,” she said.
In the same vein, Hyeladeen said: “I’ve heard stories about people using used pads for rituals, and it scares me. That’s why I don’t like disposing of them just anywhere; but we don’t even have a proper disposal facility in my school.”
Happiness, on the other hand, lamented the lack of water in her school environment— highlighting findings from a study that shows inadequate sanitation facilities at schools is a major challenge to menstrual hygiene management.
The Executive Director, Women and Girl-Child Rescue and Development Initiative (WGRDI), Bridget Dakyes, confirmed the challenges faced by these girls. She emphasised that managing menstruation in school can be difficult for teenage girls, often affecting their academic performance, self-esteem, and overall well-being.
“The lack of access to affordable and quality sanitary products is a major concern. Many girls cannot afford pads, tampons, or menstrual products, forcing them to resort to unhygienic alternatives such as rags, leaves, newspapers, or even skipping school during their periods. This not only compromises their health but also perpetuates the stigma surrounding menstruation,” Bridget said.
She explained that the absence of private changing areas, clean toilets, and proper disposal facilities in many schools made it hard for girls to manage their periods discreetly and hygienically and has often led to embarrassment, anxiety, and discomfort, which can ultimately hinder their ability to concentrate on their studies.
Confirming a study that shows period poverty can impact a menstruator’s education, emotional well-being, health, discomfort, and the nation’s economy.
Social impact and health implications
Bridget, who is also the Plateau State Coordinator of the Women Peace and Security Network, said her work with young girls has revealed a connection between poor menstrual hygiene, low self-esteem, and increased vulnerability to unhealthy relationships.
“Low self-esteem is a significant concern for adolescent girls. Societal expectations, media representation, and peer pressure can contribute to negative body image, self-doubt, and a lack of confidence,” she explained.
According to her, girls with low self-esteem may struggle to assert themselves, set boundaries, and make informed decisions about their lives. “This vulnerability can make them more susceptible to unhealthy relationships, where they may seek validation and acceptance from partners,” she said.
A resident, Obstetrics and gynaecologist, Usman Isah, said that the potential health risks of using unclean or damp cloths, or infrequent changing of pads during menstruation increases risk of infection with microorganisms especially bacteria.
“The kinds of infections or skin conditions that can arise from prolonged use of unhygienic menstrual materials includes but not limited to reproductive tract infection, urinary tract infection, increase risk of Human Papillomavirus Infection and subsequently cervical cancer” he said.
Isa continued that the long-term effect of poor menstrual hygiene includes but not limited to reproductive tract infection, abnormal vaginal discharge, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, cervical cancer.
According to a gynaecologist with the, Isa, the potential health risks of using unclean or damp cloths, or infrequent changing of pads during menstruation increases risk of infection with microorganisms especially bacteria.
“Menstruation is still stigmatised in many cultures, leading to embarrassment or feeling “unclean and coupled with poor menstrual hygiene infection may set in with associated fowl smelling vaginal discharge which may further complicate the issue and low self-esteem,” the doctor added.
The gynaecologist said that all the problems in poor or rural communities includes lack of water, sanitary pads and education.
He suggested providing community-based sanitary pads where possible or encouraging the use of clean, reusable sanitary pads, provision of clean water for school and other places of gathering.
“Proper drying and storage of reusable materials is recommended in poor resources settings as part of menstrual hygiene and for prevention of infections and its sequelae,” he added.
The Founder of FemPawa Africa, Dorkong Rimdam, made a passionate call in 2024 during an outreach at Government Secondary School in Abuja, highlighting the urgent need for action.
She questioned, “If condoms can be provided for free, why not pads? If toilet rolls are freely available in bathrooms, then menstrual pads which are just as essential should be too.”
She said, “If we can have free condoms, why can’t we have free pads, if we have free toilet rolls in the bathroom, so why not pads?
“Sex is an option, but menstruation is not a choice, and a lot of women and girls cannot access sanitary pads.”
She emphasised that removing tax on sanitary pads will help to reduce the cost and enhance accessibility and affordability for women.
Like Rimdam, experts in Nigeria have argued that access to safe, affordable menstrual hygiene products must be treated as a public health priority, noting that untaxing pad is important because menstrual health is not a luxury, it’s a right.
More than 17 countries have abolished the value-added tax (VAT) on menstrual products in a push for menstrual equity. Pioneering this movement, Kenya began the process as early as 2004, setting the stage for others like South Africa, India, and Canada to follow. More recently, countries such as Mexico, Britain, and Namibia have also joined the growing list, recognising that menstrual products are necessities, not luxuries.
However, the impact of the exemption on sanitary products in Nigeria is not being felt.
“Menstrual pads should be available in school toilets, offices, and public institutions facilities. It’s not just students who might be facing this challenge,” Bridget said, supporting Rimdam’s advocacy.
Bridget said that WGRDI has been producing reusable pads and training women and girls in rural communities to tackle the menstrual hygiene crisis in schools, especially among girls from low-income families.
“Our reusable pads offer a cost-effective and sustainable solution to this crisis. Made from breathable, absorbent materials, they are designed for comfort and ease of use. They can be washed and reused multiple times, making them an affordable alternative to disposable pads,” she explained.
She added that providing access to affordable and reliable menstrual hygiene products can help create equal opportunities and support girls in achieving their educational goals.
“By addressing the menstrual hygiene needs of girls in schools, we can help improve their overall well-being, reduce absenteeism, and promote dignity. Our reusable pads are a practical and innovative solution to the menstrual hygiene crisis.
“Over 5,000 young women and girls have been trained in Plateau, Adamawa and Borno States from 2021 to March 2025. With the acquired skills, girls and young women are able to make their own reusable pads, train other women in their communities, and generate income for themselves from the sales of the reusable pads, while also enabling them to stay in school during menstruation and promote menstrual health and hygiene,” She added.
The menstrual hygiene expert emphasised that tackling these issues demands a holistic approach involving various stakeholders such as educators, policymakers, parents, and community leaders.
“Providing girls with accurate information about menstrual hygiene, promoting positive body image, and fostering self-esteem can help alleviate shame and embarrassment. Encouraging girls to develop self-confidence, self-worth, and self-assertion skills can empower them to make informed choices and prioritise their well-being,” She added.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues.