Online Reporter
Chronicle Correspondent
THE People’s Own Savings Bank (POSB) has donated sanitary wear to girls at Neruvanga Secondary School in Masvingo Province as part of its ongoing “Donate a Pad and Keep a Girl in School” initiative.
The initiative, launched in 2023, enables POSB staff to contribute sanitary pads or donate leave days that are converted into cash for the purchase of menstrual hygiene products.
The Bank matches the staff donations to maximise impact, ensuring that more disadvantaged girls in marginalised communities receive the support they need to remain in school during their menstrual periods.
Neruvanga Secondary School becomes the latest beneficiary of this programme following the successful rollout at Marimasimbe Secondary School.
Under the programme, each girl at Neruvanga will receive pads sufficient to last about a year, helping to reduce absenteeism and preserve dignity during menstruation.
POSB chief executive officer, Mr Garainashe Changunda, emphasised the Bank’s commitment to social responsibility saying: “As a people’s bank, POSB is devoted to making a meaningful difference in the communities we serve.
“Our ‘Donate a Pad’ initiative reflects our commitment to addressing the challenges of menstrual health that continue to hinder many girls’ education and empowerment.
“Every girl deserves access to proper sanitary wear so she can pursue her education without disruption.”
According to survey reports, up to 72 percent of schoolgirls in Zimbabwe do not have access to sanitary wear and resort to using unhygienic materials such as old rags, with some reportedly resorting to the use of cow dung.
Mr Changunda added that POSB is undergoing transformation, which puts education and schools at the heart of its operations.
As such, he said the bank was committed to rolling out more initiatives that benefit schools, including the pads donation and the ‘Solar and StarLink’ loan facility’ which the bank recently announced. He encouraged other stakeholders to join in the fight against menstrual health challenges.
“Lack of access to sanitary products is a serious challenge that must be addressed collectively. By standing together, we can protect the dignity, health, and future of the girl child,” said Mr Changunda.
Head of Neruvanga Secondary School, Mr Chibhadhi expressed gratitude to POSB, noting that the donation would go a long way in boosting the morale and confidence of the girls:
“This generous gesture from POSB will greatly improve our girls’ school attendance. They can now focus on their studies without the worry of managing their menstrual hygiene. “We deeply appreciate POSB’s commitment to uplifting the education and well-being of our learners,” he said.
The donation ceremony was attended by representatives from POSB, school authorities, parents, and members of the Neruvanga community, all of whom commended the bank for its dedication to empowering the girl child.
POSB is Zimbabwe’s only 100 percent homegrown savings bank that has served the nation by providing quality, affordable and accessible banking services for over 120 years. Formerly the Post Office Savings Bank, POSB, was established in December 1904 as a statutory fund to mobilise savings for national development. From January 1905 until 1965, the Bank conducted its operations through the Post Office infrastructure network. In 1965, the Post Office Savings Bank Act {Chapter 249} was promulgated thereby providing for the administration of the Savings Bank by
the Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (PTC) on an agency basis.
In 2001, the People’s Own Savings Bank of Zimbabwe Act (Chapter 24:22) was promulgated. This Act effectively established POSB as a corporate body, separate from PTC.
