SNV, a Netherlands developmental organisation has devised a new way of assisting disadvantaged Zimbabwean women with affordable sanitary wear to cater for their menstruation periods.
The new sanitary pad was revealed at Cillas Conference centre, to equip media practitioners with correct information on how the organisation is fighting for the dignity of the disadvantaged community.
According to SNV’s Lindile Ndebele, most of the rural women have been silently using newspapers and dumped rags to help them during their menstruation periods, thereby exposing them to cancers and other diseases.
“We have been around to disadvantaged community to introduce this low costing device that has seen more women accepting it and also extending a helping hand to their fellow habitants. We have been touched by school girls who have to stop attending lessons during their menstruation period, due to lack of sanitary wear,” said Ndebele addressing both male and female journalists.
SNV implemented this IGATE program aimed at addressing factors that limit access to educational opportunities for girl children.
SNV has since commissioned studies in Binga, Lupane, Chivi, Mangwe, Insiza, Gokwe North, Gokwe South Nkayi, Beitbridge, Mberengwa & Masvingo Districts, to inform interventions.
According to SNV, about 20% of all primary school girls in rural areas do not receive any education and information on menstrual hygiene, before they start menstruating, 72% of rural primary school girls who menstruate, do not use sanitary pads but instead rely on reusable pieces of cloth, cotton wool and tissue.
SNV further revealed that 20% of rural primary school girls who menstruate, do not attend school while they are on their periods and the explanations they give to their parents and teachers are that they are sick with a headache, stomach ache or some other ailment.
The SNV presentation also reveals the rural sanitary pad market in Zimbabwe as worth more than $9 million annually. The rural school girls, sanitary pad market alone, is potentially worth $915 840 annually, as 30 million sanitary pads are sold in Zimbabwe annually.
Absenteeism leading to poor performance (528 days lost during entire schooling and lack of adequate support from the family and school, led to increased absenteeism reported by 57%.