SON, UNFPA to Advance Women’s Menstrual Health

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A forum to advance menstrual health and hygiene in Nigeria has been hosted by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

The event, tagged Nigeria Menstrual Health Forum, was held from September 3 to 4, 2026, at Dover Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, and brought together government representatives, development partners, manufacturers, academia, civil society and youth groups.

At the seminar themed Driving Standards and Policy Reform for Affordable Menstrual Products, the chief executive of SON, Mr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, represented by the Director of Corporate Affairs Department, Mrs Talatu Ethan, emphasised that menstrual health is not merely a private health concern, but an issue closely linked to dignity, education, productivity, economic participation and inclusive development.

The forum highlighted the critical role of standards in ensuring that menstrual products are safe, fit for purpose, consistently produced, accessible and affordable.

Stakeholders also examined the importance of testing, certification, accreditation and regulation, while exploring opportunities to strengthen local manufacturing, innovation, competitiveness and value chains within Nigeria’s menstrual hygiene industry.

Participants discussed key challenges including period poverty, taxation, regulatory and infrastructural barriers, environmental sustainability and the cost of production. The forum also provided a platform for local manufacturers to share their lived experiences and engage directly with regulatory agencies and other stakeholders on issues affecting production, compliance and market access.

The event reaffirmed the need for stronger collaboration and practical policy action to ensure that no woman or girl has to compromise her health, dignity, education or safety because of the cost or unavailability of menstrual products.