Chronicle Editor
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
THE involvement of men in the management of menstrual health issues has been deemed critical in addressing the myth and misconception around the issue as well as unlocking funding to support affected young girls.
The World, on 28 May each year, comes together to celebrate Menstrual Health Management and in Masvingo, a provincial dialogue was held at a local hotel where emphasis was put on the need for collective responsibility on issues surround the women’s health.
In an interview, Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) Masvingo provincial education and marketing officer Mr Herbert Chikosi said there was a need for men to be involved in menstrual health issues as they are the ones who are perpetuating the myths and misconceptions around menstrual health.
“Men’s involvement in menstrual health management is close to nothing, it is very limited instead they actually perpetuate the myths and misconceptions around the issue. We however, feel that the time has come for men to take a leading role. Male involvement is very critical for them to also procure the material needed because they have the economic means. We need them to procure for the young girls and we need them to have information and to create an enabling environment where these things can be talked about easily,” he said.
Mr Chikosi said there has been limited information concerning menstrual health in the province hence the need to avail funds towards the hygienic management.
“In the spirit of devolution when the funds are coming down to Masvingo in the health budget we need to have explicit funds towards menstrual health management initiatives. We are coming against a background of limited information. There is limited information in the communities, myth and misconceptions are very much,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Ezra Chadzamira said lack of information and inadequate service deliveries are the major drivers to the adolescent health reproductive service challenges being faced by young girls and women.
“Lack of proper sanitation facilities and proper and affordable hygiene material for the use by adolescent girls and women at home and at work places affects their health and potential to access education and employment.
Therefore, menstrual health management should be mainstreamed in Health, Water, Sanitation and right to education and gender programmes,” he said.
Cde Chadzamira said the National Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Strategy 2 identifies lack of access to comprehensive information on adolescent reproductive health, inadequate service delivery and inadequate policy and regulatory framework as the major drivers for adolescent sexual and reproductive health challenges in Zimbabwe.
He said that the province received sewing machines from the First Lady, Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa, for the production of sanitary wear for the vulnerable girls and women.
“Several reports have shown that women and girls resolved to use unhygienic and unsafe materials during their menstruation period due to several factors such as lack of knowledge, inability to pay or a matter of choosing not to spend limited means. To make menstrual material more affordable, more accessible as well as to reduce harm to the environment the First Lady donated sewing machines and clothing material to women groups for production of sanitary wear for the vulnerable girls and women,” he said.
Online Reporter