By Michael Gwarisa
For many schoolgirls in rural Zimbabwe, menstruation is more than just a biological process, it is a barrier to education. Rumbidzai Magwere, a schoolgirl from Mvurwi, knows this all too well.
“There are no pads in our school. Sometimes my period starts while I’m in class, and I am unprepared. It is embarrassing to sit in spoiled clothes. I have no choice but to miss lessons and stay home until it’s over. This is affecting my studies because lessons do not stop just because one girl is managing her menstrual period,” said Rumbidzai.
She urged the government to fulfill its promise of providing free sanitary wear in schools, saying it would help end period poverty and improve learning outcomes for girls.
I appeal to the government to provide free sanitary pads in Mvurwi. This will allow us to learn and move at the same pace as our male counterparts.”
Kimberly Chaibva, a learner from Rafingora, echoed the same concerns, noting that while they previously received reusable sanitary pads, the supply had since stopped.
“In Rafingora, sanitary pads are a luxury many girls can only dream of. We used to receive reusable sanitary pads, but they have since stopped coming. The water crisis in our area also makes it difficult to use reusable pads,” said Kimberly.
She appealed to Parliament and the government to urgently address the situation.
The concerns raised by these girls align with a petition submitted by Sanitary Aid Zimbabwe, which calls for the implementation of the sanitary wear program for schoolgirls and improved access to affordable and free menstrual products for women and girls across the country.
In 2020, the Parliament of Zimbabwe passed a law mandating the government to provide schoolgirls with sanitary wear and menstrual hygiene facilities. As part of this effort, Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube allocated ZW$200 million (then US$12.5 million) in the 2020 National Budget for the procurement and distribution of free sanitary products to rural schoolgirls who have reached puberty.
However, implementation has been inconsistent. A Parliamentary Hansard report from August 19, 2021, revealed that some rural schools received panty liners instead of sanitary pads, highlighting discrepancies in the supply chain.
The Health Portfolio Committee has now stepped in to address the issue. Speaking at a Regional Network of Children and Young People Trust (RNCYPT) breakfast meeting in Harare, Honourable Judith Tobaiwa, Legislator for Kwekwe Central and a Health Portfolio Committee member, vowed to follow up on the petition in Parliament next week.
“As a committee, we need to follow up and check with Parliament on the status of the petition. Next week, we will raise a question in Parliament to ensure there is commitment to resolving these challenges. We also need to follow up with the ministry regarding disbursement and increased financing for sanitary wear,” said Honourable Tobaiwa.
In 2018, the government scrapped duty on sanitary wear following years of lobbying by gender activists and legislators, but affordability and access remain significant challenges.
Recognizing these ongoing gaps, the Regional Network of Children and Young People Trust (RNCYPT) is implementing a 36-month project in Mvurwi and Rafingora to address Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) challenges faced by adolescent girls.
Nyasha Dick, an official from RNCYPT, explained that the project is funded by AMPLIFY Change, a global movement advocating for SRHR access.
“This project focuses on marginalized girls aged 12 to 19 in rural and disadvantaged communities. We selected two districts, Rafingora in Zvimba and Mvurwi, including surrounding farming communities like Forester Farms,” said Dick.
The initiative aims to tackle issues such as lack of SRHR knowledge, harmful social norms like child marriages, and gender-based violence (GBV). It has also established community hubs, offering safe spaces for girls and young women to access information and support.
