The Bauchi State House of Assembly (BAHA) has on Wednesday March 12, 2025, passed a bill to establish sanitary pad banks in the state.
The bill targets schools, correctional facilities, and community centers across State.
Nigeria News Agency (NAN), reported that Mr Lawal Dauda, the Chairman of the House Committee on Health, presented the bill.
Dauda, leading the debate on the bill, emphasised that the free sanitary pad banks would address menstrual hygiene management challenges and reduce absenteeism in schools.
“This initiative will also improve hygiene for indigent adolescent girls, women, and female inmates during their menstrual periods,” he said.
Dauda noted that Bauchi State is the first in the country to pass such a bill.
“This pioneering legislation aims to tackle menstrual hygiene management issues and promote women’s development in the state,” he added.
Mr. Abubakar Suleiman, The Speaker of the House, praised the state and other partners for their relentless advocacy efforts, which ultimately led to the passage of the bill.
Suleiman assured that the bill would greatly benefit adolescent girls and women, providing them with access to sanitary pads they couldn’t previously afford.
In response to the passage of the bill, Mrs Comfort Attah, Executive Director of African Sanitary Health and Hygiene (ASHH), extended her appreciation to the state government, legislative body, and collaborating organizations for their tireless efforts.
However, she added that despite the bill’s passage being a major achievement, its implementation hinged on the governor’s signature, emphasizing that there were still crucial steps to be taken before the bill became law.