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Sharon Chigeza Mutare Correspondent
The embarrassment caused by the inability to afford sanitary wear can be a major disruption to girls’ academic performance, an official has said.
In a speech read on her behalf by the director of provincial affairs in the province, Mr Kennedy Mugarisanwa, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Cde Monica Mutsvangwa said there was need to stop girls from missing school, risking their health or compromising their dignity because they could not afford sanitary wear.
Minister Mutsvangwa made the remarks during a handover ceremony of sanitary pads by Chiedza Trust and Imi Nesu Trust to Mutambara High School on Friday last week.
Imi Nesu Trust and Chiedza Trust – which are considered to be Manicaland’s development partners – donated 300 packs of five sanitary pads and 610 packs of five to the school, respectively.
“May I express my deepest appreciation to our development partners for providing free feminine hygiene products to students of Mutambara Mission School,” she said.
“This noble gesture is sincerely welcomed as it goes a long way in alleviating challenges of health and sanitation for our girl-child.”
Failure to afford sanitary wear, Minister Mutsvangwa said, was negatively affecting the performance of the girl-child.
“The giving of pads for free makes it easier for girls to manage their monthly cycle and focus their attention on class work,” she noted.
Minister Mutsvangwa thanked the development partners for their unwavering support, concern and love for the girl-child. United States of America-based Ms Tsungai Chibvongodze and Mrs Gladys Mukaratirwa are the directors of Imi Nesu Trust and Chiedza Community Welfare Trust, respectively.
Minister Mutsvangwa thanked the duo for following through their commitment to provide sanitary wear to female students and other less-privileged women in Manicaland.
Online Reporter