Rachel Gonayi & Tafadzwa Munyaka
The provision of free sanitary pads has been topical for years in Zimbabwe.
It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge efforts taken by the Government to ensure sanitary pads are provided for free at schools.
It is indeed welcome news that will go a long way in alleviating the plight of vulnerable girls who lack adequate and appropriate sanitary wear.
However, inasmuch as this move is noble, it excludes out-of-school girls who still have to bear the brunt of exorbitant costs of sanitary pads or else they resort to unhygienic alternatives.
It is incumbent upon Government, therefore, to make their commitment a living reality for adolescent girls by exclusively providing free sanitary pads for all.
People are rallying behind free pads, hence the clarion call for “condoms to be sold and sanitary pads provided for free”.
In light of that, we cannot advocate one thing and take away another.
It becomes a barter trade in relation to access to services rather than universal access, which is more appropriate and considered the best approach by progressives to this particular situation.
It is not wrong for sanitary pads to be given for free, but the question is: By who? Whose responsibility should it be to provide sanitary pads for free?
Why condoms are given for free is now a frequently asked question and the response is that condoms have been given freely to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS, as well as other sexually-transmitted infections/diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
Free condoms are needed to end HIV and AIDS by 2030, which is a good step in ensuring that we get to that vision when the time comes.
Adolescent girls need sanitary pads to allow them to menstruate in a healthy and dignified manner without stigmatisation, more so for those who cannot readily and easily access sanitary wear.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care and the National Aids Council, in their 2017 HIV Estimates report, wrote that Zimbabwe has seen a decline in HIV incidence rates among adults aged 15–49 from 1 percent in 2010 to 0,49 percent in 2017, possibly due to the scale of various prevention methods.
Condoms are one of those prevention methods.
Organisations like Zimbabwe National Council for the Welfare of Children and individuals worked tirelessly advocating a smooth supply of free condoms in clinics, hospitals, workplaces and public toilets.
Now there is need for the State, organisations and individuals to scale up the discourse beyond provision of sanitary pads for girls in schools to include those in the communities as well, who are equally vulnerable as a result of lack of sanitary wear.
We can consider an approach whereby institutions and organisations in the public and private sector have a colour coded red bin at their offices in which people can deposit sanitary pads for onward distribution to vulnerable girls in the communities.
Furthermore, the same institutions and organisations can make it policy that every time they conduct meetings or work functions, every member brings a packet of sanitary pads and drop them in the bin.
We can make this happen, but not without the aid of the relevant stakeholders.
Imagine the smile on that beautiful girl in remote areas such as Msilahobe in Silobela upon receiving such love from you.
This can only happen if we talk less and put more action.
This action starts with you and me.
The same effort and energy that was spent in promoting the provision of free condoms can be channelled towards making sure girls have a dignified, happy and healthy monthly period.