Period Poverty: The Thief
How Period Poverty is Stealing Girls' Education in Nigeria—and What We Can Do About It
Written by Purple Pact on Sunday, May 19, 2024
Girls' Education Menstruation
Education is the ladder that can lift girls out of poverty, but in Nigeria, there’s a hidden barrier keeping many girls from climbing it—period poverty. It's a silent issue, but its impact is loud, affecting the education and future of millions of young girls across the country.
Imagine being excited about school, ready to learn, and then suddenly, your period starts. You don’t have sanitary pads, you don’t have anyone to talk to, and you’re not sure how to manage it. So, you stay home.
For many girls in Nigeria, this isn’t just a one-time occurrence—it happens every single month. Without access to proper menstrual products, girls are forced to skip school during their period. Some miss three to five days of class, and over time, this adds up to weeks or even months of missed learning.
But the effects go beyond missed school days. When girls fall behind in their studies, catching up feels impossible. They lose confidence, and some may eventually drop out entirely. And all because of a natural process their bodies go through every month.
It’s not just the lack of menstrual products that holds girls back; it’s also the shame and stigma. In many communities, menstruation is still treated as something dirty or taboo. Girls are taught not to talk about it, and this silence only worsens the problem.
Imagine being terrified that your classmates will find out you're on your period. Imagine worrying about staining your clothes or being teased. It’s no wonder so many girls choose to stay home rather than face the embarrassment.
But there’s another hidden piece to this problem that often gets overlooked—the lack of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools.
Think about it: even if a girl has sanitary pads, how is she supposed to manage her period when her school doesn’t have clean water, private bathrooms, or proper waste disposal facilities? Sadly, this is the reality for many girls in Nigeria. They don’t have a clean, private space to change their pads, wash their hands, or dispose of their used products.
It’s difficult to focus on your studies when you’re constantly worried about where to change or how to stay clean. Without these basic necessities, many girls opt to stay home during their period rather than face the challenges at school.
And the consequences are severe. Without proper WASH facilities, girls are more likely to use unsafe alternatives to manage their periods, increasing the risk of infections. Over time, these girls fall further behind in their education, and the confidence to keep up with their peers starts to slip away.
Period poverty doesn’t just affect a girl’s present—it impacts her future. When girls consistently miss out on education, their chances of completing school are slimmer. Without an education, their opportunities in life are severely limited, trapping them in the very cycle of poverty they’re trying to escape.
And it doesn’t end there. Girls who drop out of school are more likely to marry early, face limited job prospects, and experience poorer health outcomes.
It’s a ripple effect that starts with a missed day of school but extends far into the future.
How do we ensure that every girl, regardless of her menstrual cycle, can continue her education and pursue her dreams?
One of the simplest solutions is to make sure girls have access to affordable menstrual products. By removing this barrier, we ensure that girls can attend school with confidence and dignity. Organizations and communities can come together to provide reusable sanitary pads to schools, particularly in low-income areas.
We need to start talking about menstruation openly—at home, in schools, and in our communities. When girls are educated about their bodies and periods, they feel more confident in managing their menstrual health. When boys and men understand menstruation, it helps reduce the stigma, creating a more supportive environment for girls.
Schools can play a massive role in tackling period poverty. Simple things like providing private, clean bathrooms, offering sanitary products, and creating a supportive atmosphere where girls can discuss their needs can make a huge difference.
Period poverty is real, and it’s robbing too many Nigerian girls of their right to education. But here’s the good news: we can do something about it—and it starts with you.
At Purple Pact, we believe every girl deserves the opportunity to learn without the barriers of period poverty. Together, we can ensure that no girl has to choose between her education and her period.
Let’s make sure periods don’t stop progress. Join us in breaking the silence and giving girls the future they deserve.