Chronicle Editor
Amanda Mlevu, Sunday News Reporter
MORE than 500 learners have been assisted with sanitary pads, soap, books and pens by Girl Talk Zimbabwe — a non-profit organisation that is championing the health rights of young girls through eradication of period poverty.
Speaking after handing over the pads, soap, books and pens at Mzilikazi High School in Bulawayo recently, founder and director of Girl Talk Ms Anitta Neshiri said her organisation was working to eradicate period poverty in the country’s communities.
She said period poverty was a global issue affecting those who do not have access to the safe, hygienic menstrual products and or who are unable to manage their periods with dignity, sometimes due to community stigma.
“This is our biggest pads drive so far and it seeks to eradicate period poverty in Zimbabwe where the majority of young girls can barely afford to buy a pack of sanitary pads. For the past three years we have been distributing sanitary pads to poverty-stricken communities in the country,” said Ms Neshiri.
She said their main target was for a girl in school not to miss any lectures and school appointments due to lack of sanitary wear.
“As part of our non-profit mission, we directly support learning communities such as collective impact forums, and share value initiatives to provide sanitary pads and build relationships that change the girl child needs. I am a person who strives to bring about a positive social impact in the society. I feel happy to be able to bring change in someone else’s life. I want girls to have a better future in a male-dominated world.”
Ms Neshiri encouraged the students to take their education seriously and follow their dreams.
“You now have all the empowerment you need from us your sisters and I am telling you to stop at nothing in achieving your dreams because anything is possible with hard work,” said Ms Neshiri.
She shared her own journey to success from when she was in high school and how she was now a holder of a university degree without holding back on anything.
“I am a young entrepreneur and a businesswoman. Currently, I co-own Inkamic Pvt Limited. I did both my Ordinary and Advanced Levels at St Columbu’s High School. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management. I am a marketing executive by profession and I am also a former model, so with all this information I am confident that you will now have the motivation, so take this and make me proud by doing way better than I did,” said Ms Neshiri.
Bongani Ndlovu