MHHM Nigeria Summit 2025: Civil Society Champions Lead National Conversation on Menstrual Health
A Well-Informed Adolescent (AWA) Initiative, Wonder Woman Nigeria, and Alora Reusable Pads Convene Nigeria’s First-Ever National Menstrual Health Summit
Abuja, Nigeria – June 27, 2025 — Nigeria took a historic step toward ending period poverty with the successful hosting of the Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management (MHHM) Nigeria Summit 2025, held on June 26, 2025, at the NSE Headquarters Auditorium, Abuja.
The summit, themed “Empowering Lives, Breaking Barriers, and Building Dignity,” was co-convened by three leading menstrual health advocates — A Well-Informed Adolescent (AWA) Initiative, Wonder Woman Nigeria, and Alora Reusable Pads — in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs as Chief Host.
The gathering brought together over 350 participants from across the country and diaspora, including government officials, academic researchers, youth leaders, development partners, private sector actors, and community stakeholders.
“This summit is a result of years of grassroots advocacy that demanded national attention,” said Sarah Kuponiyi, founder of AWA Initiative and Alora Reusable Pads.
“We’ve moved from handing out pads in underserved communities to influencing national conversations and policy. That’s what people-powered advocacy can do.”
Edith Augustine, Founder of Wonder Woman Nigeria, reflected on the deep emotional and structural challenges surrounding menstrual health:
“This issue is personal. Many of us have lived the pain of silence and stigma. Convening this summit wasn’t just about policy — it was about creating a national space for dignity and justice.”
Throughout the summit, panel discussions addressed core issues including menstrual health and disability inclusion, stigma in schools, sustainable product access, budget integration, and menstrual waste management. Young girls, including those with disabilities, took center stage to share real experiences — calling on leaders to take menstrual health seriously.
The summit featured goodwill messages from key ministries including Health, Education, Water Resources, and Budget & National Planning. International organizations such as GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, Plan Nigeria, UNFPA, UNICEF, WaterAid and UN Women offered solidarity and shared commitments to fund, support, and scale impactful MHHM interventions across Nigeria.
“Toni Osinubi, Gender Focal Point at GIZ Nigeria & ECOWAS, emphasized their commitment to advancing menstrual health, stating: “We look forward to the outcomes of this summit and to continuing our partnership to ensure that menstrual health is treated not as a peripheral issue, but as a core component of health, education, and human rights.”
The MHHM Nigeria Summit 2025 concluded with concrete commitments, including:
- Finalisation of the National MHH Policy by Q4 2025
- Integration of MHH in gender-responsive budgets and the National Development Plan (2026–2030)
- Support for local production and disability-inclusive product innovation
- Launch of youth-led period banks and national anti-stigma campaigns
One of the summit’s highlights was a dedicated session for abstract presentations, where researchers, youth advocates, and organizations showcased evidence-based solutions and emerging insights in menstrual health and hygiene management. Presentations covered critical themes such as:
- Adoption of biodegradable menstrual products in underserved communities
- Innovative approaches to menstrual waste management in schools
- Integrating menstrual health education into digital platforms for youth engagement
- Community-based research on period poverty and its links to school dropouts
These presentations reinforced the summit’s commitment to data-driven decision-making and positioned research as a central pillar in advancing menstrual equity across Nigeria.
Conclusion
The MHHM Nigeria Summit 2025 was not just a milestone event—it was a movement-defining moment. Convened by visionary civil society leaders, the summit redefined how Nigeria approaches menstrual health: not as a side conversation, but as a central development issue tied to health, education, gender equality, and human rights.
“We have now created a national platform where menstrual health is no longer treated as a footnote, but as a national priority,”,” said Sarah Kuponiyi, founder of AWA Initiative and Alora Reusable Pads.
“We’re done treating menstruation like a taboo. The summit proves that if we want systems that protect dignity, we must build them—boldly, locally, and collectively.”
“We didn’t just convene a summit. We sparked a national reawakening,” said Anne Dirkling, vice president of Wonder Woman Nigeria.
“From girls to governors, everyone in that room felt the urgency of the moment. And we will not stop until policies reflect the lived realities of women and girls.”
Shakirah Alaga, Communications Lead for the Summit and Founder of KAM VERSE, added: “We knew this movement needed more than passion—it needed powerful storytelling. From every visual to every caption, our goal was to make dignity visible and menstruation unshameful. This summit was about using media to move hearts, shift minds, and drive policy.”
The conveners have shown that when women lead with purpose, advocacy becomes policy, and silence gives way to systemic change.
What comes next is clear: a Nigeria where no girl skips school, no woman suffers in silence, and no community treats menstruation as shameful. With sustained collaboration, inclusive policymaking, and the collective will of government, civil society, and the private sector, menstrual dignity is no longer a dream — it is an achievable national priority.
Media partners and journalists are invited to help amplify this national movement for menstrual equity. For interviews, statements, or access to photos and the full post-summit report, please contact:
MHHM Summit Communications Lead: Shakirah Alaga
Email: nigeriamhhsummit@gmail.com
