For Women in Nigeria’s IDP Camps, Menstrual Care Can Cost Up to 60% of Annual Income
Women and girls in displacement camps across Nigeria face difficult choices between food, shelter, healthcare and menstrual products. In Benue displacement sites, many households earn less than ₦20,000 a month and depend heavily on humanitarian aid. Food insecurity remains severe, with many families reducing meal sizes or skipping meals. Disposable sanitary pads can cost between ₦47,603 and ₦142,809 a year. For a displaced household earning under ₦240,000 annually, the upper estimate amounts to almost 60% of total income. Families with more than one menstruating girl may be forced to choose between pads, food, transport and school supplies. Women leaders in camps in Abuja, Benue and Nasarawa say inadequate shelter, water, sanitation and privacy make menstrual hygiene even harder. Some girls reportedly miss school because they cannot access pads or manage their periods safely. Reusable pads may reduce long-term costs, but they still require clean water, safe washing facilities and reliable distribution. The report calls for a coordinated response that combines food support, nutrition education, menstrual-health supplies, sanitation, safe accommodation and livelihood opportunities. It also stresses that women leaders in camps should help shape interventions around the needs of displaced families.
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