Maden HealthCare Foundation Moves To Advance Women’s and Girls’ Health Rights at State Level

"Only about 49% of girls attend lower secondary school nationally, with significantly lower rates in some states". MHF 

.... Says "Many public schools lack gender-responsive WASH facilities."

Across Nigerian states, women and girls continue to face preventable health and dignity challenges linked to period poverty, weak school health systems, and limited access to primary healthcare. 

These gaps, according to Maden HealthCare Foundation, one of Nigeria's leading advocacy groups for the country's women, disproportionately affect adolescent girls and women in underserved communities, undermining education outcomes, health equity, and sustainable development.

Brief Data Snapshot – Nigeria

In the opinion of Maden HealthCare Foundation, over 30 million girls and women lack access to adequate menstrual products.

MHF pointed out that, 1 in 4 adolescent girls miss school during menstruation due to lack of supplies, privacy, or facilities.

"Only about 49% of girls attend lower secondary school nationally, with significantly lower rates in some states", pointing out that many public schools lack gender-responsive WASH facilities.

"Women and girls in rural and low-income communities face persistent barriers to basic healthcare access", it stated.

Speaking on Priority Rights Gaps, the MHF revealed five key points to include;

1. Menstrual health and dignity

2. Healthy and safe school environments

3. Access to essential healthcare

4. Adolescent girls’ access to accurate health information

5. Inclusion of marginalized women and girls

State-Level Policy Asks

State Governments are urged to:

1. Integrate menstrual health into state health and education policies.

2. Strengthen school health programs, including menstrual health education and routine screenings.

3. Support community-based healthcare delivery, including medical outreach.

4. Ensure access to age-appropriate, rights-based health information for adolescent girls.

5. Partner with grassroots organizations delivering proven interventions.

Alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals

This advocacy advances:

* SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being

* SDG 4 – Quality Education

* SDG 5 – Gender Equality

* SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

* SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

Addressing issues relating to Policy Pledge/Commitment, MHF called on State Governments to commit to:

* Prioritizing funding for menstrual health, school health, and primary healthcare in state budgets

* Implementing gender-responsive school and health policies

* Strengthening partnerships with community-based organizations

* Tracking progress through inclusive data and accountability mechanisms.

This commitment, according to Maden HealthCare Foundation, represents a concrete step toward protecting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of women and girls across the state.

Role of Maden Healthcare Foundation*

Maden Healthcare Foundation delivers *menstrual health programs, school health interventions, and medical missions* that bridge policy and community impact. State-level collaboration can scale these solutions sustainably.

Call to Action

Investing in women’s and girls’ health is a high-impact strategy for achieving state development goals. Now is the time for *policy leadership, funding, and partnership* that ensure no girl or woman is left behind.