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Nyasha Mapasa and Kuda Chidziya
Hope for Kids has donated reusable sanitary pads to promote the health of the vulnerable girl child in Cyclone Idai-hit areas.

The organisation started the reusable sanitary pads project after seeing a great need for them in areas affected by Cyclone Idai including Ngangu and Copa in Chimanimani where they distributed yesterday.

Speaking at the event, the director of Hope for Kids Mr Misheck Mlambo said there was need to assist Chimanimani girls with sanitary wear as some were failing to attend school because of the unhealthy alternatives they were using.

“We also noted in our assessment research in Chimanimani that the girls were using unpleasant substitutes due to poverty. Some girls explained how they were using cow dung during the menstrual period and will be out of school for some days because of the unpleasant smell, all this because of lack of sanitary pads.”

Mr Mlambo also said some organisations that have donated to the Cyclone victims so far have not been prioritising sanitary wear.

“We note that most organisations donating to Cyclone Idai relief are providing food aid and clothing, but forgetting sanitary pads which every woman needs. Remember that the girls also had their belongings washed away, leaving them with only what they were wearing,” he said.

He added that they had partnered with Semwayo School of Sewing in Chikanga who were trained to make the sanitary pads by Pad Up.

Mr Mlambo said they had also started the project in Chimanimani because of the cyclone, but if funds permit, they wish to take the campaign countrywide.

“We have a bias towards Chimanimani at the moment due to Cyclone Idai, but we have a goal to keep rural girls in school during their menstruation. We shall be appealing for financial assistance to reach out to many children as we work on restoring the dignity of girls during this natural phase.”

Hope for Kids project manager Ms Margaret Nyamutswa said the reusable sanitary pads were not only durable, but also cheap.

“Reusable sanitary pads are a great and innovative initiative which lots of African countries have long adopted, the facts that they can be used safely for 3-5 years is a big plus, and this saves a young girl in the rural parts of the country lots of money by avoiding the disposables,” she said.

Meanwhile, the National Blood Services of Zimbabwe (NBSZ) has partnered the Swedish Embassy to mobilise sanitary wear for girls across the country in a bid to tackle inequalities surrounding menstrual health management.

NBSZ chief executive, Ms Lucy Marowa said as part of menstrual health management initiatives, NBSZ in partnership with the Swedish Embassy would embark on a Pledge 25 donate a pad campaign.

“The Embassy of Sweden has come on board as a partner to mobilise sanitary wear for the girl child and we will be working closely with them in our Pledge 25 donate a pad campaign.

“The main thrust of this initiative is to make sure that there are free and accessible hygiene materials for use by adolescent girls so that their health and education is not compromised,” she said.

She said globally, the production and use of reusable sanitary wear is on the rise because they are a cheaper alternative.