Menstrual health (MH) remains highly stigmatized across many Nigerian communities, where cultural taboos sustain silence, misconceptions, and discriminatory practices. Studies show that restrictive norms significantly limit girls' participation in school, community life, and religious activities (UNICEF, 2022; GAGE, 2021). These harmful beliefs reduce access to accurate information, contributing to poor health, low self-esteem, and compromised dignity. To address these barriers, PSI Nigeria, through the Menstrual Health and Hygiene No Wahala (MH-NoW) project, developed culturally-resonant audiovisual tools in Hausa and Pidgin English as innovative Social and Behavior Change Communication solutions.
The videos "My Red Flower" (Jar Fulawata) and "Menstruation with Dignity" (Jinin Al'ada Cikin Girma Da Mutunci) apply digital storytelling to challenge stigma, enhance understanding, and encourage positive MH behaviors among adolescents and their communities. Created through co-creation process with girls, women, teachers, and community influencers, the content reflects lived experiences consistent with findings on local menstrual taboos and secrecy (PMA Nigeria, 2021).
Pre-testing across Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom States showed strong engagement, improved comprehension, and increased comfort discussing menstruation, aligning with global evidence that narrative-based tools improve knowledge retention and shift norms in low-literacy settings (WaterAid, 2019). Participants described the content as relatable, empowering, and transformative.
Using culturally grounded digital storytelling, the MH-NoW project demonstrates the potential of creative SBCC tools to simplify and normalize menstruation, strengthen community support, and advance menstrual equity. The experience offers scalable, evidence-based approaches for shifting entrenched norms and promoting lasting behavioral change for girls and women in Nigeria.
Menstrual health (MH) remains highly stigmatized across many Nigerian communities, where cultural taboos sustain silence, misconceptions, and discriminatory practices. Studies show that restrictive norms significantly limit girls' participation in school, community life, and religious activities (UNICEF, 2022; GAGE, 2021). These harmful beliefs reduce access to accurate information, contributing to poor health, low self-esteem, and compromised dignity. To address these barriers, PSI Nigeria, through the Menstrual Health and Hygiene No Wahala (MH-NoW) project, developed culturally-resonant audiovisual tools in Hausa and Pidgin English as innovative Social and Behavior Change Communication solutions.
The videos "My Red Flower" (Jar Fulawata) and "Menstruation with Dignity" (Jinin Al'ada Cikin Girma Da Mutunci) apply digital storytelling to challenge stigma, enhance understanding, and encourage positive MH behaviors among adolescents and their communities. Created through co-creation process with girls, women, teachers, and community influencers, the content reflects lived experiences consistent with findings on local menstrual taboos and secrecy (PMA Nigeria, 2021).
Pre-testing across Nasarawa and Akwa Ibom States showed strong engagement, improved comprehension, and increased comfort discussing menstruation, aligning with global evidence that narrative-based tools improve knowledge retention and shift norms in low-literacy settings (WaterAid, 2019). Participants described the content as relatable, empowering, and transformative.
Using culturally grounded digital storytelling, the MH-NoW project demonstrates the potential of creative SBCC tools to simplify and normalize menstruation, strengthen community support, and advance menstrual equity. The expe ...
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