500 schoolgirls receive sanitary wear

A PERIOD poverty awareness campaign that was launched in Mutare recently has reached more than 500 school girls so far.

The campaign, which is being run by a development partner, Windows of Hope, seeks to educate girls on menstrual hygiene and provide them with sanitary products.

The campaign focuses on primary school-going girls aged between 10 and 14.

To date, girls from Muromo, Chisamba, and Joshua Dhube Primary Schools have benefited from the campaign which distributes five reusable pads, a bottle of petroleum jelly and two pairs of underwear to every child.

A total of 100 boys also received a bottle of petroleum jelly each.

In an interview after handing out reusable sanitary pads to 100 school girls at Joshua Dhube Primary School in Dangamvura last week, Windows of Hope’s programmes’ officer, Mr Darlington Chikamhi said they hope to reduce stigma and barriers that many girls face during their monthly menstrual periods.

“We are committed to the well-being of the girl child, hence the effort to meet these girls’ sanitary wear needs. We are committed to support the community and the underprivileged girl child.

“Her needs are among our top priorities. We understand the challenges faced by girls in terms of securing or sourcing sanitary wear and we have partnered our local schools to make this donation,” said Mr Chikamhi.

He said by giving out the sanitary wear, they are empowering girls and young women.

“We are committed to supporting the girls in our community by distributing these pads which will enable them to take care of their menstrual hygiene and attend school regularly. We believe that this initiative will empower them to pursue their education and achieve their potential,” he said.

Community health care officer, Ms Barbra Dirikwe offered invaluable information to the girls about how to use the pads and keep them clean.

“We have a responsibility to provide our girls with accurate and helpful information about their menstrual health as many of them lack this kind of support from their families. This is essential for their well-being, confidence and dignity, as well as for preventing infections and complications that can affect their future reproductive health,” said Ms Dirikwe.

Joshua Dhube school headmistress, Ms Lydia Munedzi said the gesture will go a long in fighting period poverty among school girls.