adminH-Metro Reporter
GIRLS’ rights champions, Shamwari Yemwanasikana (SYS), marked Menstrual Hygiene Day by calling for an end to period poverty among rural girls.
Menstrual Hygiene Day is observed on May 28 to highlight the importance and raise awareness of menstrual care among young women and girls.
The organisation donated sanitary products, toiletries, and food hampers to communities in Mahusekwa, Marondera, last Friday and also offered free healthcare services and sexual reproductive awareness.
SYS director, Ekenia Chifamba, said that the group’s mission is to ensure that every girl can access clean and safe menstrual care and urged more organisations to join the fight against period poverty.
In addition to promoting menstrual health, experts at the event provided women with free healthcare services and sexual reproductive information.
The donation was held in partnership with Nedbank and Pepfar Zimbabwe.
“As SYS, we believe that every girl child has the right to a clean and safe menstrual care.
“We are on a mission to reach out to every less privileged girl in the rural areas.
“We want to make sure that no girl misses school because they are on their period and can’t afford to buy sanitary pads.
“Our mission is to help as many women and raise awareness on some of the issues faced by girls and women who don’t have access to sanitary products,” said Chifamba.
Chifamba believes more should be done to raise awareness among primary school going girls before they encounter their first period.
“Some of these girls can’t afford pads and end up using cotton, dirty rags or cow dung which is not safe for their health.
“This is where we come in to offer help and raise awareness so that they don’t encounter any complications.
“This is a chance for big corporations to also join us to help young girls have proper menstrual care.
“We are appealing for more help so that our less privileged women and girls do not resort to using unhygienic means during their monthly periods,” she said.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter