#EndPeriodPoverty for Girls in Rural Zimbabwe

The month of May is Menstrual Health and Hygiene month and all activities this month sought to bring awareness of the challenges women and girls face in managing their monthly periods. Several campaigns were held, in person and online with the messages that highlighted the need for everyone to play a part in ensuring women and girls ahave adequate menstrual hygiene products and more importantly, keeping the girls in school. We also took to social media to educate women and girls on menstruation, hygiene matters and demystify some of the myths on menstruation which have been spread from generation to generation. Several dialogue sessions were held to stimulate dialogue on a subject once thought of as taboo.

To commemorate Menstrual Hygiene Day, we spent the day with 60 girls and young women from the residential area of Mufakose. This is a low income community where the majority of the families live on less than a dollar a day. The harsh economic environment has further worsened the plight of women and girls. There has been an increase in teen pregnancies and early marriages and the women and girls revealed that they indulge in risky sexual behaviour to earn money for their basic needs, including sanitary wear.

The young women, like Moreblessing, were pleased to receive reusable sanitary pads which can be used for up to 18 months with proper care. She highlighted that sanitary pads were a monthly cause of concern and she worried every time her periods came because she did not have money for pads. The reusable pads, which are washed and reused have given her one less thing to worry about. She can now concentrate on her studies and focus more on her educational attainment.

We remain committed to playing our part in building a world where no one is left behind because they menstruate.