By Huzaifa Sani Ilya

Menstruation, a fundamental aspect of human biology, remains one of the most misunderstood and stigmatized natural processes in our society. Too often, it is seen solely as a private concern for women, a view that deepens stigma and fails to recognize the shared responsibility we all have in supporting women’s health and dignity. It’s time to rethink this perspective and understand that menstrual health is not just a women’s issue, but a shared human concern.

A Shared Human Concern
Menstrual health and hygiene should never be viewed as issues that concern women alone. While it is true that women experience menstruation and bear its physical pain, empathy is a universal gift. Every man, born of a woman, shares a connection with women in various roles—whether as sons, brothers, friends, or partners. In many cultures, including Islamic traditions, men are regarded as guardians and protectors of women, supporting them physically, emotionally, and financially.

Why, then, should men not also be involved in alleviating the challenges women face during menstruation? Menstruation is a natural and essential process in a woman’s life, and while women endure the physical discomforts, men too experience the emotional and social impacts of this process. Yet, many of the hardships women face are rooted in cultural neglect, lack of awareness, and insufficient education, especially in rural communities.

This gap in awareness often results in menstruation being surrounded by stigma, misinformation, and silence. It’s time to break this silence. Men must come together to support women by understanding the menstrual process and promoting better hygiene practices. Only through education can we create a stigma-free environment where open discussions about menstruation are normalized.

Understanding the Basics of Menstruation
At its core, menstruation is the shedding of the uterine lining, a natural and healthy sign that the body is functioning normally and preparing for pregnancy. Menstruation typically lasts between three and seven days, occurring roughly every 28 days. However, this varies from person to person and can be influenced by factors such as age, health, and lifestyle.

Despite its naturalness, menstruation is often misunderstood and misrepresented. In many cultures, menstruating women are treated as impure, isolated, or even ostracized. For instance, some men refuse to eat food prepared by their wives during menstruation, a practice based on outdated and harmful beliefs. In countries like Nigeria, such stigmas are pervasive, especially in rural areas, where young girls are sometimes married off as soon as they begin menstruating, regardless of their age or readiness. This tragic practice denies them an education, stunts their personal growth, and limits their opportunities to contribute to society.

Breaking Myths Through Awareness
Thankfully, initiatives like PSI Nigeria are making significant strides in addressing menstrual health. These organizations are working to raise awareness in rural communities, helping both men and women gain a better understanding of menstruation and its significance. However, much more needs to be done, especially in areas where cultural taboos continue to limit open dialogue.

Education is key. Girls must be educated on what constitutes a normal menstrual cycle, which typically occurs every 21 to 35 days with bleeding lasting between three to seven days. They must also learn to recognize abnormal signs—such as heavy bleeding, severe cramps, or unusual discharge—that may indicate health problems. Without open discussions, many girls cannot identify these warning signs, and the conditions often go untreated, leading to infections or more severe health complications.

Awareness also provides practical knowledge on how to manage common menstrual discomforts like cramps, bloating, and mood swings. Unfortunately, many parents, especially in conservative cultures, are too shy to discuss menstruation with their children, and as a result, girls often face challenges in understanding their bodies. This silence perpetuates stigma and hinders healthy development. For societal change to occur, we must address these gaps and create an informed, compassionate society that encourages open communication about menstrual health.

Towards a Healthier Future: Modern Solutions and Education
With the world rapidly evolving, so too have the tools available for menstrual hygiene. In the past, women often had to rely on unsanitary materials that could lead to infections or other health issues. Today, however, thanks to advances in science and technology, sanitary products are safer, more hygienic, and more easily accessible.

Access to these products is vital. Menstrual health is an essential part of overall well-being, and every woman and girl should be empowered with the knowledge and resources to manage it. An open, stigma-free conversation about menstruation is crucial for raising awareness, dispelling myths, and creating healthier, more inclusive communities.

The Shared Responsibility: Men and Women Together
Breaking the silence on menstruation is not only a women’s issue—it is a human responsibility. Men and women must work together to create a society where menstruation is understood, respected, and treated with the dignity it deserves. When we normalize conversations about menstrual health, we begin to dismantle centuries of stigma, shame, and silence that have hindered girls and women from living freely.

Every girl deserves the right to education, and no girl should miss school simply because she cannot afford sanitary products or feels embarrassed about her period. No woman should be made to feel unclean or unworthy because of menstruation.

Governments, schools, religious leaders, and communities all have a crucial role to play. Policies that ensure girls, especially in rural areas, have access to sanitary products should be prioritized. Schools must incorporate menstrual health education into their curricula, and parents must engage in open and honest discussions with their children. Additionally, religious leaders should use their influence to correct misconceptions and promote a more understanding approach to menstruation.

Menstrual Health as a Matter of Public Health and Social Justice
Menstrual health is not just a private issue but a public health concern, with far-reaching implications for education, social justice, and equity. By fostering empathy, promoting awareness, and ensuring equal access to hygiene products, we can build a society where every woman and girl can live with confidence and dignity, free from stigma and discrimination.

As we work toward a world that respects menstrual health, we lay the groundwork for a future where girls and women are no longer marginalized because of a natural, biological process. Together, we can create a society where menstruation is not only understood but embraced as a vital part of every woman’s life.

Huzaifa Sani Ilyas writes from Kano

huzaifasaniilyas@gmail.com

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The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, says the Federal Government has committed over N12 billion to a solar power project at Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH).

Speaking at the flag-off of the project in Kano, Bichi, who represents Bichi Federal Constituency, said the initiative would make the hospital independent of the national grid.

He explained that the project is part of the government’s plan to solarise all tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals across the country, beginning with AKTH.

According to him, the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.

“The Federal Government set aside N300 billion in the 2025 appropriation act, and very soon all our tertiary institutions and teaching hospitals, including those owned by states, will enjoy 24-hour solar power.

“This year alone, I have attracted projects worth over N26 billion to AKTH, which has never happened in its history,” he said.

Bichi added that similar projects were underway at Bayero University Kano, Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology Wudil, and Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital.

He also commended Tinubu for supporting the project, describing it as a milestone in healthcare service delivery.

In his remarks, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Chief Uche Nnaji, said the initiative marked the translation of the Renewed Hope Agenda from vision to tangible action.

On his part, the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, assured that the project would be delivered before December.

“This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We are targeting about 10,000 projects across the 36 states and the FCT to ensure 100 per cent solarisation of facilities,” Abdullahi said.

The Chief Medical Director of AKTH, Prof. Abdulrahman Sheshe, said the hospital spends about N150 million monthly on electricity bills and an additional N30 million on diesel.

“With this intervention, the hospital will save more than 30 per cent of its expenses. This project could not have come at a better time, especially after the recent power dispute we had,” he said.

Before the flag-off, Bichi inspected the ongoing construction of a five-storey Accident, Emergency and Trauma Centre at the hospital, another project facilitated by the Federal Government.

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The Kano State House of Assembly in partnership with LESDEN and the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH has conducted a joint oversight to health facilities in Kano State as part of the Maternal and Neonatal Mortality Reduction Innovation Initiative (MAMII).

The partnership which also involves the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board (KSPHCMB), the Kano State Contributory Health Care Management Agency (KSCHMA), and the state Ministry of Health aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) through joint facility spot checks and accountability exercises to promote transparency.

This paper reports that ISMPH also supported the media in enhancing reportage on healthcare delivery in Kano to strengthen accountability.

A delegation led by Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad, member representing Makoda Constituency, and Alhaji Murtala Kore, representing Danbatta Constituency, alongside officials of KSPHCMB, KSCHMA and the Ministry of Health, visited selected health facilities for oversight.

Speaking during the inspection at Makoda Primary Health Care Centre, Muhammad said the exercise was designed to assess facility standards, evaluate service quality and ensure effective utilisation of human and material resources.

“It also seeks to strengthen inter-agency collaboration and reinforce accountability mechanisms across Kano’s health sector,” he said.

He reaffirmed the Assembly’s commitment to ensuring that resources allocated to healthcare were used effectively and that facilities meet public needs.

Kore described legislative oversight and inter-agency cooperation as critical to achieving universal health coverage in the state.

Similarly, representatives of KSPHCMB, KSCHMA and the Ministry of Health said coordinated supervision enables stakeholders to identify challenges and develop sustainable solutions to improve service delivery.

They reiterated the state government’s commitment to providing accessible, affordable and quality primary healthcare in all the 44 local government areas.

During the spot check at Makoda PHC and Wada Waziri PHC in Danmarke, the team inspected infrastructure, reviewed staffing levels, verified the availability of essential drugs and equipment, and interacted with community members.

The Officer-in-Charge of Koguna PHC, Mrs Amina Yusuf, appealed for the fencing of the facility, provision of solar power, laboratory equipment, more funding, and additional medical personnel.

At Wada Waziri PHC, in Danmarke village,the Officer-in-Charge, Mr Aliyu Abdullahi, called for solar electricity, staff quarters and new toilets.

The Village Head of Koguna, Alhaji Muazu Musa, commended the team for the assessment and urged development partners and philanthropists to support primary health care facilities in the state.

He stressed that government alone could not meet all the sector’s needs.

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