Maden Healthcare Foundation Concludes World Menstrual Health Day Virtual Summit 2026

"The summit also featured two panel discussions which included: Breaking the Silence; Realities, Stigma and Systemic Barriers, and Driving Change Solutions, Innovations and Scalable Models..... MHF.

..... As participants examined the challenges, opportunities, and actions required to ensure that menstruation does not hinder education, health, dignity, or participation in society."

The Maden Healthcare Foundation, MHF has successfully completed, its hosting of the World Menstrual Health Day Virtual Summit 2026 which culminated with its Menstrual Health Month campaign implemented across 30 states in Nigeria.

The summit, which was held Saturday, 30th May 2026, brought together stakeholders from Nigeria and across the globe, including government representatives, healthcare professionals, educators, civil society organizations, development partners, researchers, advocates, and young people, to engage in meaningful conversations on advancing menstrual health, dignity, and equity.

The summit, with the theme: “Menstrual Health Without Barriers: Voices, Solutions & Action”, featured a keynote address by Dr (Mrs) M. Oseji, Head of Service, Delta State, on the topic; “Advancing Menstrual Equity Through Collective Action and Systems Strengthening.”

The summit also featured two panel discussions which included: 

* Breaking the Silence: Realities, Stigma and Systemic Barriers

* Driving Change: Solutions, Innovations and Scalable Models

Participants examined the challenges, opportunities, and actions required to ensure that menstruation does not hinder education, health, dignity, or participation in society.

Key issues discussed during the summit highlighted the following persistent challenges; 

* Menstrual stigma, harmful myths, and cultural misconceptions continue to limit open conversations and access to accurate information.

* Period poverty remains a significant barrier, with many girls lacking access to affordable and quality menstrual products.

* Inadequate menstrual hygiene facilities in schools, including lack of access to water, sanitation, and safe spaces, continue to affect school attendance and participation.

* Menstrual health education remains insufficient for many young people, parents, teachers, and communities.

* Need for greater inclusion of boys and men as allies in promoting menstrual health and ending stigma.

* Limited collaboration among stakeholders reduces opportunities for sustainable and large-scale impact.

As part of its communique issued at the end of the summit, key recommendations and a call to action, participants called for the Government and policymakers to:

* Prioritize menstrual health as a public health, education, and development issue.

* Strengthen school health policies and ensure implementation of comprehensive school health programmes.

* Improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools and communities.

* Support policies and programmes that promote menstrual equity.

The communique further called on schools and educational institutions to:

* Provide age-appropriate menstrual health education for all students.

* Create safe and supportive school environments where menstruation can be discussed without shame.

* Promote inclusive school health programmes that engage both girls and boys.

Similarly, the Communique also called upon Civil Society and Non governmental Organizations and Development Partners to:

* Strengthen collaboration, share evidence, and scale successful interventions.

* Invest in sustainable, community-led approaches to menstrual health and school health.

Not left out in the Communique were the Private Sector and Innovators who were urged to:

* Increase investments in affordable and sustainable menstrual products.

* Partner with organizations to expand access to menstrual health resources and innovations.

Young People and Communities were equally called upon to:

* Challenge harmful stereotypes and become advocates for health, dignity, and equity.

* Promote supportive environments where every young person can thrive.

Of important note in the communique during the event was the official launch of the Nigeria School Health and Menstrual Equity Network (NSHMEN) which formed a major outcome of the summit.

According to the organizers, "NSHMEN was established as a multi-sectoral platform to foster collaboration, advocacy, research, knowledge sharing, and collective action aimed at strengthening school health systems and advancing menstrual equity in Nigeria.

"The network welcomes government institutions, civil society organizations, healthcare professionals, educators, researchers, development partners, private sector actors, and young people committed to this vision."

The communique concluded by stressing that; "The World Menstrual Health Day Virtual Summit 2026 reinforced the urgent need to move beyond conversations towards sustained action."

Participants during the World Menstrual Health Day Virtual Summit 2026 affirmed that "menstrual health is not only a matter of hygiene, but also one of dignity, education, gender equity, public health, and social development."

As Maden Healthcare Foundation concludes Menstrual Health Month, we reaffirm our commitment to working with partners through NSHMEN to break barriers, amplify voices, promote innovative solutions, and ensure that no child is left behind in achieving their full potential.

The communique, which is an abridged version, was issued by the Maden Healthcare Foundation, Convener and Secretariat, Nigeria School Health and Menstrual Equity Network (NSHMEN) on the June 25th 2026.

#Beyond Healthcare… administering love.