Anambra Ministry of Women Affairs, DeCODE Champion Menstrual Hygiene Policy

The Development Centre for Orientation, Discovery and Empowerment (DeCODE) has formally engaged the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs with a view to institutionalize menstrual hygiene management and eliminate societal taboos.
The high-level advocacy visit brought key stakeholders together to officially hand over the draft state menstrual hygiene policy under the Menstrual Ease for Girls (ME4Girls) Project, implemented with the support of Rise Up Together.
The DeCODE team led by its Executive Director Cynthia Enweonwu-Arinze, briefed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Nkeiru Mokwe, on the extent of work already done on the project.
“DeCODE initiated the project by executing a comprehensive baseline assessment regarding menstrual hygiene management across Anambra State.
“Following the assessment, DeCODE convened a coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) focused on menstrual health, establishing the Anambra Menstrual Health Advocacy Coalition.
“The coalition collaborated with relevant government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to draft a localized state policy and implementation framework modeled after national guidelines.
Project consultant Dr. Rose Amasiani underscored the importance of placing institutional ownership squarely within the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Drawing from her pioneering experience leading national research findings on menstrual hygiene management in Nigeria since 2015, Dr. Amasiani noted that while health and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sectors provide essential technical infrastructure, the overarching policy must be anchored by the Ministry.
“If we carry this policy that is meant for Ministry of Women Affairs and give it to another ministry, even if it goes to the house, House will turn it down,” Dr. Amasiani explained, emphasizing that the Ministry serves as the primary coordinator for women, children, and menstruating girls.
Advocates emphasized that the policy extends far beyond school-aged girls, targeting women at home, individuals with special needs, and rural communities where stigmas remain deeply rooted.
Welcoming the delegation, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Nkeiru Mokwe lauded the initiative as a vital step toward uplifting vulnerable groups within a traditionally masculine social environment.
“Giving a chance over and over again, I will still want to be a woman. There’s no contradiction about that, because I know who I am,” Mokwe stated, highlighting the necessity of instilling strong self-worth and confidence in young girls so they stop seeking validation in inappropriate places.
Mokwe acknowledged initial administrative gaps and communication hurdles during departmental transitions, but offered firm assurance of the Ministry’s commitment. She pledged to work closely with the Planning, Research and Statistics (PRS) unit, the Head of Department for Child, and DeCODE to bridge gaps and drive the policy adoption forward.
“Whatever it is that Ministry of Women Affairs should do as it concerns this project, we will do it,” Mokwe affirmed. “When that awareness is created from the grassroot and everybody is involved, above the sky is our limit.”