adminMlondolozi is part of Khami Maximum Prison and houses female inmates.
The sanitary pads have a life span of three years.
Days for Girls Zimbabwe held the workshop in conjunction with Prison’s Fellowship Zimbabwe and doctors from United Bulawayo Hospital’s obstetric and gynaecology department.
The workshop brought together Zimbabwe Prison Services (ZPS) officers and 94 inmates who were also taught how to handle health issues such as cervical cancer.
Using sewing needles and thread, flannel material and polyurethane laminate, which is used to absorb the menstrual flow, flannel and strips of fabric, inmates and female prison officers took time to make the pads.
After the workshop they had each made 10 liners and two pads, which are all washable.
Days for Girls programme director Mrs Linda Guzha said what prompted them to act on the provision of sanitary wear were cases, especially in the rural areas, where women and teenagers were using stones and maize cobs to stop menstrual flow.
“We have had cases especially in the rural areas where women and girls insert stones and maize cobs into their privates as a way to stop menstrual flow during their periods. All this is caused by the fact that they cannot afford to buy sanitary wear so we thought of this idea to teach these women how to make the washable ones,” said Mrs Guzha.
She said the most expensive part of the pad was the polyurethane laminate, the material that is used to absorb menstrual flow.
ZPS acting regional public relations officer, Senior Prison Officer Livingstone Mashange, said the programme was commendable and came at the right time.
He said the new skills acquired by the inmates were in tandem with this year’s theme “Together We Can Manage”.
“The knowledge they gained was good and the inmates can use it to teach others in the region or even make the pads for their colleagues,” said SPO Mashange.
He said the skills training was an advantage as prisoners could be self-reliant instead of depending on donors.
“The inmates should be visited by their relatives as that provides them with moral support. We therefore urge those who have relatives in prison to come and visit them as this is part of their rehabilitation programme,” said SPO Mashange.
During the workshop, Dr Davidzoyashe Makosa from UBH Obstetric and Gynaecology unit, taught inmates about cervical cancer and explained its causes.
Dr Makosa said the community should have knowledge on health issues because people die from curable diseases.
“We found out that people, because of lack of knowledge, die from curable and preventable diseases so that is why we are here,” she said.
Dr Makosa said cervical cancer goes undetected but could be treated if diagnosed at an early stage.
Online Reporter