Population Services International Nigeria (PSI Nigeria), in collaboration with Women and Girls Rescue Development Initiative (WGRDI), will commemorate International Women’s Day 2026 with a menstrual health outreach for women and girls in post-conflict communities in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The outreach, scheduled for Monday, March 9, will provide dignity kits and menstrual hygiene supplies to women and girls, particularly those living in internally displaced persons (IDP) and of conflict-affected communities.
Temitope Alfred, PSI Nigeria Communication Officer, said the initiative is being implemented under PSI Nigeria’s Nigerian Economic Empowerment and Menstrual Health (NEEMH) Project in partnership with the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare. It is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8, celebrates women’s achievements while calling for stronger action toward gender equality, dignity, and wellbeing. The 2026 theme, “Give To Gain,” focuses on closing gaps in pay, representation, and access to essential services.
As part of the outreach, PSI Nigeria will distribute dignity kits containing reusable sanitary pads, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, wet bags, underwear, and buckets to help women and girls manage menstruation safely and with dignity.
The programme will also feature menstrual health education sessions and product demonstrations conducted by trained facilitators using PSI’s evidence-based communication tools to promote healthy menstrual hygiene practices.
PSI Nigeria’s Programme Manager, Winifred Kwaknat, said menstrual health remains a critical but often overlooked aspect of women’s health, especially in vulnerable communities.
According to her, the NEEMH project aims to ensure that women and girls, particularly those in post-conflict areas, have access to menstrual health products, accurate information, and the support needed to manage their menstruation safely and confidently.
Beneficiaries for the outreach were identified through a collaborative process involving the Plateau State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Welfare and the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), using standard vulnerability assessment methods to ensure transparency and inclusivity.
Officials of the ministry noted that distributing reusable menstrual products aligns with the state government’s commitment to supporting vulnerable women and girls, especially those in IDP camps, by improving health, restoring dignity, and ensuring long-term access to menstrual hygiene products.
PSI Nigeria said integrating menstrual health awareness with the International Women’s Day commemoration aims to reduce stigma around menstruation and improve access to essential products and information for women and girls in Plateau State.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s health, dignity, and economic resilience through initiatives that support sustainable development and stronger communities across Nigeria.