Artists take lead in advocating for menstrual health

SEVERAL artists, among them photographers, visual artists and poets demonstrated their creativity in tackling socially relevant topics during the Flow Art competition, which took place at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe last week.

A variety of artists received certificates for their exceptional menstrual-themed work in the competition Flow Art: Celebrating Womanhood and Menstruation.

Speaking at the event, one of the adjudicators Makomborero Theresa Muchemwa — who also collaborated with Merilyn Mushakwe and Nyadzombe Nyampenza — stated that the submitted artworks were outstanding and that the response to the call was tremendous.

Nevertheless, not all participants responded to the competition's theme.

“As this is an inaugural competition, we hope that this is a great beginning towards more conversations around reproductive health, menstrual health and access to resources by everybody.” she said.

Muchemwa commended artists who, on behalf of marginalised communities, used their artistic expression to address important menstrual health issues.

Photographers Nyasha Gurure and Mpumelelo Moyo, visual artist Tanyaradzwa Matarirano and poet Praymore Kugara were among the artists who emerged victorious in the competition.

In an interview with NewsDay Life & Style, Matarirano explained that the goal of her painting titled Passage to a Dignified Womanhood was to help women feel at ease with their menstruation if they have access to resources.

Her artwork depicted a woman on a sanitary pad floating like a boat in a blood stream.

She observed that it was challenging for others to comprehend the struggles women face on a daily basis, particularly at home, where girls and women are expected to act normal and complete chores as usual, even when they are in pain.

Matarirano explained: “It is challenging and extremely uncomfortable to walk long distances, especially without sanitary pads.”

Although he may not have personally experienced the menstrual cycle, photographer and fine artist Moyo said he nevertheless spent time with women who experienced menstruation.

“I have five sisters and it echoed in my mind, the pain they have gone through with menstruation although it was not obvious, as they have always hidden it. I understood where women's cries come from.” he said.

However, curator at the National Art Gallery Livingstone Muchefa pointed out that, when he tried to imagine himself as a man attempting to speak on behalf of women, he found that it was quite unfair for men to compete in the competition.

Prendy chief executive officer Yvonne Mateko, who was a partner in the event and sponsor, said it was her wish to explore menstruation through art-inspired communication.

She expressed her longing for a society in which sanitary pads were as widely accessible as condoms in public places.