Women should not be placed in a situation where they have to choose between purchasing menstrual products and providing other basic necessities.
By Moses Okorie
The increasing cost of sanitary pads is creating fresh challenges for women and girls in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with some resorting to less expensive alternatives to cope with their menstrual needs.
A cross-section of women interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Tuesday said the rising cost of living had made it increasingly difficult to purchase sanitary products regularly.
Mr Christian Ibe, a businessman at Wuse Market, blamed the rising prices on inflation, the declining value of the naira and increased transportation and distribution costs.
He said the removal of sanitary products from the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime had not been enough to bring prices down, as other economic factors continued to drive up costs.
According to Ibe, the situation is contributing to the growing problem of period poverty, particularly among women and adolescent girls from financially disadvantaged households.
He explained that many families now had to weigh the purchase of menstrual products against other necessities such as food, school fees and other household expenses.
“People do not buy sanitary pads the way they used to years ago. You can imagine that schools will soon resume, but some mothers are buying more tissue paper than sanitary pads,” he said.
Ibe expressed concern about the possible consequences for school-age girls, saying inadequate access to menstrual products could lead some of them to stay away from school during their periods.
He urged the government, private organisations and other stakeholders to introduce more measures to improve the affordability and availability of sanitary products.
He also called for increased awareness of proper menstrual hygiene and the dangers of using materials that are not designed for menstrual protection.
For Ms Favour Edwin, an 18-year-old apprentice living in Auta Balefi, the price of sanitary pads has risen but remains manageable.
Edwin said she currently spends about ₦700 on a pack and had not experienced major difficulty meeting the cost.
She, however, acknowledged that women and girls without a stable source of income could be severely affected by further increases.
She stressed that affordable sanitary products were particularly important for students who depended on their parents or guardians for their basic needs.
Edwin said women should not be placed in a situation where they had to choose between purchasing menstrual products and providing other basic necessities.
Meanwhile, Ms Susan Kalat, an unemployed graduate from Auta Balefi, said the rising prices had become a significant financial burden.
Kalat said she spends about ₦1,800 on a pack of sanitary pads that adequately meets her needs.
She explained that although cheaper brands were available, some were unsuitable for her menstrual flow and often resulted in leakage.
“I cannot just buy any pad because of the price. Some of the cheaper ones do not support my flow, and when I use them, I experience leakage,” she said.
She estimated that her annual expenditure on sanitary pads alone was about ₦21,600, excluding other personal hygiene expenses.
Kalat said the financial pressure was particularly challenging because she was unemployed and had to manage her menstrual needs alongside other expenses.
She appealed to the government and relevant agencies to explore ways of making quality sanitary products more accessible to women and girls, especially those with limited incomes.
A public health expert, Dr Gabriel Adakole, said the rising cost of menstrual products could have wider health and social consequences.
Adakole said some women and girls who could not afford sanitary pads might resort to materials such as old rags, tissue paper and newspapers.
He warned that the use of unclean or poorly sanitised materials could expose users to infections and other health complications.
The expert also noted that menstrual poverty could affect girls’ education, as some may miss classes because they lack adequate menstrual products.
“This can result in girls missing school during their menstrual periods, potentially affecting their learning and academic performance,” he said.
Mrs Patient Felix, a mother of five residing in Durumi, advocated early menstrual hygiene education for girls, saying young women should be adequately prepared before experiencing their first menstruation.
Felix noted that while some sanitary pads were expensive, less costly products could also be found in the market.
She said some packs containing three pieces were available for around ₦350, providing an option for consumers with limited financial resources.
NAN reports that the experiences of the women interviewed indicate that the impact of rising sanitary pad prices differs depending on individual income and menstrual needs.
While some consumers have been able to cope by choosing cheaper brands, others face difficulties because lower-priced products may not provide the level of protection they require.
With inflation continuing to affect household budgets, access to safe and affordable menstrual hygiene products remains an important health, education and social welfare issue, particularly for low-income women and adolescent girls.