United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)

Muhyideen Jimoh
Jun, Wed, 2025

Health

UNICEF, stakeholders seek improved funding for maternal, child healthcare

269 total views today

By Folasade Akpan

Health stakeholders have renewed calls for increased budgetary allocation and improved financing for maternal and child healthcare in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the stakeholders made the call at a workshop in Abuja organised by Development Governance International (DGI) Consult, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

Dr Gafar Alawode, the Chief Executive Officer of DGI Consult, stressed the need for urgent reforms in health financing to address long-standing deficiencies in maternal and child healthcare across the country.

He emphasised the need for sub-national governments to embrace data-driven strategies and translate financial commitments into measurable outcomes.

He said “the objectives of the workshop include disseminating key findings from public health expenditure analysis and advocating increased investment in priority areas.

“We also seek to share policy recommendations and secure stakeholders’ commitment to improved resource allocation.

“Stakeholders will chart a course of action for implementation of the policy recommendations and identify strategies to optimise public health financing, particularly Primary Healthcare (PHC) and Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (MNCH) at the state and local government levels.”

Dr Bukola Shittu-Muideen of DGI Consult presented findings from a recent expenditure review, where she identified systemic bottlenecks and proposed targeted interventions to enhance budget execution.

She urged state governments to adopt evidence-based approaches to resource planning and health strategy formulation.

UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr Sachin Bhokare, commended the collaborative efforts of stakeholders at the workshop, saying “this is about aligning our priorities to ensure no woman or child is left behind.

“It is also about linking sustained investments to tangible health outcomes and reduced maternal and child mortality rates.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that state ministries of health, state primary healthcare development agencies and local government ministries contributed to discussions, reflecting shared concern over persistent funding gaps in the health sector.

The delegates acknowledged the challenge of poor budget implementation and reaffirmed readiness to drive reforms, especially at local government levels where service delivery is most critical. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

Folashade Adeniran
May, Fri, 2025

Health

Period poverty: UNICEF leads advocacy on menstrual health management in Oyo

362 total views today

By Olatunde Ajayi

According to the the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), inadequate access to resources has continued to undermine ability of girls and women to manage their menstruation healthily and respectfully.

The UNICEF Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Specialist, Mr Monday Johnson, stated this at a media dialogue organised by UNICEF in collaboration with Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation on Thursday in Ibadan.

He noted that a greater percentage of women often faced stigmatisation, isolation and other forms of rights violations while observing menstrual period.

Menstrual Hygiene Day, being observed every May 28, is dedicated to promoting better understanding about menstruation, raise awareness about the importance of good menstrual hygiene and to break down the existing social taboos associated with menstruation.

The theme for 2025 celebration is “Together for a Period Friendly World.”

The UNICEF specialist affirmed that the theme shared the vision of a world where every woman could manage their menstruation with dignity, confidence, and safety.

He called for integration of comprehensive menstrual education into school curricula and community programmes to dispel myths and normalise conversations about menstruation.

According to him, ensuring that menstrual products are accessible and affordable is a fundamental right of women and girls.

“Governments, NGOs, and private sectors must collaborate to provide free or subsidised menstrual products to those in need.

“By educating our girls and even our boys, we foster a supportive environment where menstruation is understood and respected.

“Schools, workplaces, and public spaces must be equipped with clean and adequate water supply and disposal options.

“Some schools lack adequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities needed by girls and female teachers to manage menstruation,” Johnson said.

He also called on parents especially fathers to support their girl child during menstruation, noting that research had shown that voices of fathers in supporting girls during menstruation have been very low.

“We need to have voices of parents, boys, government and NGOs supporting girls during menstruation against all taboos and myths about menstruation,” he said.

Similarly, UNICEF’s Social Behavioral Specialist, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, charged community leaders and influencers to actively involved in promoting menstrual health education.

This, she said, could be achieved through supportive networks that would ensure that girl or woman did not feel isolated or ashamed because of their menstrual period.

“We need to break silence, menstruation should not be seen as a taboo topic. We need to create an open dialogue where people feel comfortable discussing their menstrual health without fear of ridicule or shame,”she said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Dotun Oyelade, commended UNICEF for championing campaign for menstrual hygiene in Nigeria.

He expressed renewed commitment of Gov. Seyi Makinde’s led administration to all UNICEF activities in Oyo state. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Vivian Ihechu

UNICEF promotes menstrual hygiene for girls

Folashade Adeniran
May, Thu, 2025

Health

UNICEF promotes menstrual hygiene for girls

349 total views today

By Millicent Ifeanyichukwu

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has encouraged girls to embrace menstruation with pride and confidence, recognising themselves as vital contributors to humanity’s sustainability.

Mrs Aderonke Akinwole, Social and Behavioural Change Specialist at UNICEF, gave the advice during an event on Wednesday organised with the Nigeria Girls’ Guild and Lagos State Primary Health Care Board.

The event was held to commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day (MHDay) and was attended by students from both public and private schools across Lagos.

With the theme ‘Together for a Period Friendly World’, the event aimed to raise awareness and promote dignity in menstrual hygiene.

“When a girl begins menstruation, it should be celebrated. It signifies her transition into womanhood and her ability to sustain life.

“They should be proud, and seek accurate, helpful information to remain safe, clean, and healthy during their period,” Akinwole said.

She emphasised that girls must not feel ashamed, as menstruation is a natural part of womanhood and a symbol of female dignity.

She urged the state government to increase sensitisation efforts and include menstrual hygiene education in school curricula, religious settings, and community platforms.

Akinwole also warned against stigmatisation, especially from boys, and called for boys to be educated to respect menstruation as part of girls’ lives.

“Girls should understand the menstrual cycle even before it starts. This should be part of health education in schools, churches, mosques, and communities,” she said.

She explained that girls need awareness on menstrual hygiene management and should know how to prepare for their periods in a healthy, informed way.

Mrs Honfor Adesola, Director of Education at Lagos State Primary Education Board, commended UNICEF’s support in promoting menstrual hygiene and addressing issues affecting girls.

Adesola highlighted that maintaining menstrual hygiene is vital in preventing infections and ensuring comfort throughout the menstrual cycle.

She noted that the event also helped to raise awareness about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine available free in health centres across Lagos.

“We’re here to mark MHDay and to engage girls on HPV awareness. The state government has provided the vaccine, and sensitisation must continue,” she explained.

She encouraged girls to discuss the HPV vaccine with their parents to gain consent, ensuring protection against cervical cancer.

“The vaccine is safe, effective, and accessible in state facilities for girls aged nine to fourteen, but many have not yet been vaccinated,” she added.

Meanwhile, Ethagah Divine, Head Girl of New Estate Baptist Secondary School, Surulere, called on NGOs to provide sanitary pads for girls.

She urged more campaigns and rallies to distribute free menstrual products, like UNICEF did, to promote hygiene and dignity during menstruation.

Miss Emmanuella Azubuike, a student of the same school, expressed gratitude to UNICEF and partners for the impactful menstrual hygiene awareness event.

“This programme has expanded my knowledge on menstrual hygiene and HPV. More NGOs should support these campaigns to reach and educate more young girls,” she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo