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By Muchaneta Chimuka
Research has shown that failure to access menstrual hygiene materials such as tampons, and sanitary wear, among others, is leading to high school dropout rates, absenteeism, and low pass rates as many teenage girls, especially in rural communities and peri-urban areas where communities are the hardest hit by price increases of commodities.
Some girls, even in the urban setup, are reported to be using tissue paper, rags, and torn blankets as an alternative owing to the exorbitant costs of sanitary wear – the ‘precious commodity for women’.
In most retail shops in Zimbabwe, a pocket of sanitary wear (pads) is costing at RTGs $ 450 – $600 a pockets which is equivalent to US$1, 50.
On a monthly basis a woman might require one or two packets of menstrual pads depending on the amount and number of days of the menstrual flow.
Rutendo of Seke in Chitungwiza said she normally uses two pockets a month.
“We are a family of five and three of us a women hence our mother has to fork out more than US$10 per month for sanitary wear alone. When things are not well, we use some worn-out clothing which we cut into pieces and wash. Sanitary wear is not the only thing that we need. We need food, transport, stationery and to do some continuous assessment learning activity (CALA) project.
“Most teachers demand money for extra lessons hence we have to compromise. Sanitary wear is needed for hygienic purposes. It should not attract infections to our reproductive systems. With rags, one might spoil her clothes and end up losing confidence in public worse at school you will be a laughing stock,” she said.
Medical experts note that poor menstrual hygiene, however, can pose serious health risks, like reproductive and urinary tract infections which can result in future infertility and birth complications. Neglecting to wash hands after changing menstrual products can spread infections, such as hepatitis B and thrush.
Speaking during the Menstrual Hygiene Day, held online recently by the Women’s Actions Group, the organisation’s Director Mrs. Edinah Masiyiwa said the Government should fully implement the Education Amendment Act which speaks on the provision of free sanitary materials in schools.
“We call upon our Government and other actors to ensure Comprehensive Menstrual Hygiene Management support through access to disposal facilities, good water and sanitation facilities and affordable good quality menstrual products. No girl should abscond school due to lack of menstrual hygiene services and it’s a right,” she said.
The event was held under the theme “Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030”
“Today, millions of women and girls around the world are stigmatised, excluded and discriminated against simply because they menstruate.
“It’s not acceptable that because of a natural bodily function, women and girls continue to be prevented from getting an education, earning an income, and fully and equally participating in everyday life,” Mrs. Masiyiwa added.
She said after giving birth, women need specialized sanitary pads which many do not afford.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on the 28th of May each year with the agenda of breaking the taboos around menstruation and the stigma surrounding it and raising awareness about the challenges regarding access to menstrual products, education about menstruation, and period-friendly sanitation facilities.
“There is a need to mobilise the funding required for action on a large scale. All of this contributes to the overarching goal of building a world where no one is held back because they menstruate by 2030. Now we’re ready to make the next step. Starting in 2022, we will focus on translating increased attention for MHH into measurable action and investment! Together, we can create a world where no woman or girl is held back because of her period.
“Not every one that menstruates is affected by the menstrual hygiene issues. There are women and men who does not go on periods but are still eager to support this cause.”
Mr. Kundai Masache and Mr. Edwin Tapiwa Toreveyi – founders of a youth-led trust called The World Change Organization Trust in 2020 are working on providing girls and women with a cess to menstrual health.
The trust’s main thrust is on caregiving, women empowerment, and catering to young women and young boys in remote rural areas.
“On the 22nd of February 2022, we carried out a pad drive campaign and managed to donate 1056 packets of sanitary pads, detergents, shoe polish, clothes, and some stationary for Kwayedza and Igava schools in Marondera. The movement was a success but we noted with great concern that most of the students are walking 10 to 15km to and from school without shoes. It is now winter season and the cold weather is unbearable for the little boys and girls thus sweeping dry the motivation for them to want to wake up in the morning and go to school,” said Mr. Musache.
He said they are appealing for funds such that they can purchase 140 pairs of school shoes for boys and girls through the Kwayedza newspaper.
“We are also working on Fundraising for 10 000 packets of pads for Samahuru Primary School in Tsholotsho, Kanyemba in Mbire District and Totororo in Kiekie. Most of our donations come from well-wishers who support the cause. We have also donated sanitary pads to a children’s home called Musha Wevana in Marondera and Lochinvar Primary school in Harare where we were educating girls on menstrual hygiene. We are also working on having community building projects such as egg production and farming in order for us to meet our objectives,” he said.
Children in rural areas are the most affected.
“As young people who come from different walks of life, we understand the plight young people face, especially those in rural communities and high populated suburbs. We aspire to empower, educate and eradicate social ills affecting the youth. We hope to create a society that is full of compassion, kindness, gender sensitivity, innovation, and honesty. As an organization we are working towards tackling Poverty, climate change, global pandemics, and mental health,” he added.
To date, the team has assisted 488 young women with sanitary pads.
“On the 6th of July, we will be in Tsholotsho at Samahuru Primary school where we plan to donate 1500 packets of pads. WOCO is working in partnership with Fare North, the Tifara family, and Chitaitai in providing a decent shot at life for young women in remote rural areas.
“We have been supported by Zimpapers’ Capital FM to raise awareness on our campaign on menstrual hygiene,” he said.
In a bid to reduce the burden, particularly on women and girls, in 2018, the Government removed the duty on sanitary wear prices after the debate hit the Parliamentary walls which prompted then Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio on Budget, Finance, and Economic Development Mr. Felix Mahona to propose a subsidy for sanitary ware.