'Amina's First Flow': a comic book to help Nigerian girls talk about periods

Abuja — AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria has launched a 26-page comic magazine, Amina's First Flow, to improve menstrual health education for adolescent girls and tackle the stigma around periods, Premium Times reported.

The magazine was unveiled in Abuja on Thursday. It uses illustrations and relatable stories to explain menstrual hygiene, correct misconceptions and encourage open conversation.

Breaking the silence

Steve Aborisade, AHF Nigeria's senior advocacy and marketing manager, said stigma remained a major barrier to menstrual health education, especially where cultural beliefs discourage talking about periods. "We reckon that the target audience for the comic magazine would find the message in it interesting and easily embrace it for their benefit, and they too can help share the message accordingly," he said.

The comic covers the challenges girls face, including a lack of accurate information, harmful beliefs and myths about menstruation. It gives practical guidance on personal hygiene during periods and encourages boys and men to support menstrual health education.

AHF said such education is important to address the shame and discrimination that girls and young women experience, and noted that taboos in some communities stop girls from seeking reliable reproductive health information or care.

Source: Premium Times, 12 November 2026.