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The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has unveiled a 26-page comic magazine aimed at promoting menstrual health education among adolescent girls and young women and addressing the stigma associated with menstruation.
The magazine, launched on Thursday at the AHF Nigeria office in Abuja, highlights the challenges girls face in accessing accurate information about menstruation, including cultural taboos, misinformation and discrimination in communities across the country.
The publication uses relatable illustrations and storytelling to explain menstrual health management, provide practical guidance on maintaining personal hygiene during menstruation and correct misconceptions that contribute to stigma. It also encourages boys and men to become allies in promoting menstrual health awareness.
According to global estimates, nearly two billion people menstruate, while about 500 million experience period poverty, highlighting the need for accessible information and improved menstrual hygiene support.
The Senior Advocacy and Marketing Manager of AHF Nigeria, Mr Steve Aborisade, said there was a need to intensify menstrual health education among adolescents and young women, particularly to address the stigma that had continued to undermine awareness campaigns.
Mr Aborisade expressed confidence that the comic format would make the message more engaging and accessible to its target audience, while encouraging young people to share the information with others.
The AHF Nigeria Country Programme Director, Dr Echey Ijezie, said the foundation planned to translate the magazine into several Nigerian languages to expand its reach. He added that AHF would collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Education and explore opportunities to distribute the publication through educational and community outreach programmes.
Representing the Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Osaro Osa-Jarikre of the ministry’s Child Development Department said the ministry would incorporate AHF’s programmes into its forthcoming policy initiatives for the girl child. She described the foundation as a valuable partner in advancing the welfare and development of young girls in Nigeria.
Mrs Osa-Jarikre assured the foundation of the ministry’s support, noting that it was committed to working with organisations promoting the rights, education and well-being of the girl child.
Other participants at the launch included AHF Nursing Manager, Dr Charity Awunor; State Clinical Coordinator, Dr Ugochi Ajaero; Programme Officer of Kids and Teens Resource Centre, Abuja, Binta Suleiman Jalo; Taiwo Ajani of Lawyers Alert, Abuja; representatives of civil society organisations and members of Girls Act.
