The once-lush rural communities of Magunje, western Zimbabwe, is now lie parched and barren, a devastating consequence of the relentless El Niño-induced drought. Amid this dusty landscape, a pressing issue casts a dark shadow of a real struggle for girls, the harsh reality of menstrual poverty.
Magunje is where 16 year old Tambudzai Moyo (not her real name) resides. She is a bright and ambitious student, and her dreams are brimming with promise. Yet, even as she strives for academic success, she must grapple with the challenges posed by menstrual poverty.
Tambudzai’s parents, like many others in the region struggle to make ends meet due to El Niño-induced drought that has ravaged their crops and livelihood.
Basic necessities like food and sanitary wear have become luxuries they can no longer afford, resulting in Tambudzai forced to miss school during her menstrual periods, relying on makeshift solutions like torn cloth and paper scraps to manage her menstrual flow.
The humiliation and discomfort are palpable, but the consequences go far beyond her immediate discomfort as her absenteeism has led to poor academic performance.
Her story is a heart-wrenching reflection of the countless girls in rural Zimbabwe who suffer in silence, their education and potential sacrificed to the cruel whims of menstrual poverty.
According to UNICEF, one in 10 girls in Africa miss school during their periods, with many eventually dropping out due to the stigma and shame associated with menstruation.
In Zimbabwe, the situation is exacerbated by the economic crisis and drought, leaving girls like Tambudzai vulnerable and marginalized.
A study conducted in Zimbabwe in May 2022 revealed alarming statistics regarding menstrual hygiene among girls. A staggering 72% of girls in the study are unable to access sanitary products due to financial constraints, forcing them to resort to makeshift solutions.
Furthermore, 62% of girls miss school every month because they lack proper sanitary wear, hindering their educational progress. The study highlighted that girls from low-income families, particularly in rural areas, are disproportionately affected.
In light of this, Tambudzai’s plight is a clarion call to action, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address menstrual poverty in rural Zimbabwe.
Realizing that some of the bright girls like Tatumbadzai are being affected by menstrual hygiene issues, the rural teachers union, the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), organized a camp for school girls at Habitation of Hope in Harare, Zimbabwe last year.
The camp aimed at training girls on their education rights and leadership. It focused on progressive policies that promote girls’ right to education, menstrual health, and period poverty, as well as understanding sexual and reproductive rights and advocacy training.
In an interview with Bustop TV, Christine Kayumba, Vice President of the Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ), expressed her concern about the young girls who raised issues about menstrual poverty during the camping.
“Some of them said they are forced to miss school because they use unhygienic materials that wouldn’t make them feel comfortable during their lessons,” she said.
Kayumba further stated that, “Just like condoms that are being given for free and are available to anyone, the government should make sure that it creates a mechanism to make menstrual pads available in schools for free.” She explained that this would be an enhancement of Section 27 of the constitution, which states that everyone has the right to healthcare, including reproductive healthcare.
Additionally, Kayumba said, “Section 75 talks about the right to education, including access to basic education for all. So, providing free sanitary wear would also become another mechanism that can be put in place by the government to make sure that every child can exercise that right without difficulties.”
Talking to Bustop TV, Juliana Makuvire, a member of parliament and also a member of Higher and Tertiary Education Ministry portfolio, shared her opinion on the program undertaken by ARTUZ and the issues she plans to raise in Parliament for discussion.
Makuvire stated, “I am going to step up efforts in making sure that the issues of free sanitary pads for school children are discussed in Parliament.” She further stated that, “Also, schools in Zimbabwe should not discriminate against school children who are pregnant, as this is unconstitutional.”
Elaborating on the legal framework, Makuvire said, “Section 56 of the Constitution prohibits discrimination on the grounds of pregnancy, among other things.”
She also noted, “Section 75 of the Zimbabwean Constitution states that ‘every child has the right to education, including adult basic education.'”
The government of Zimbabwe has taken some steps to address menstrual poverty, including the removal of Value-Added Tax (VAT) on sanitary products in 2020 to make them more affordable.
It launched the “National menstrual hygien management strategy” in 2020, aimed at improving access to menstrual health services and products.
There are also seasonal distribution of free sanitary pads to marginalized communities, especially in rural areas, through programs like the “Ministry of Health’s Adolescent and Youth Friendly Services” initiative.
There was also the establishment of the “Zimbabwe National Menstrual Hygiene Management Fund” to support initiatives addressing menstrual poverty.
While the government’s efforts to address menstrual poverty in Zimbabwe are commendable, school children and teachers believe more needs to be done.
“I appreciate the government’s attempts to help, but it’s not enough,” said Chido Makuvaza (not her real name) “We need free sanitary pads every month, not just a one-time donation. It’s embarrassing to miss school because I can’t afford pads.”
Pasable Maremudse, International Relations Officer for ZINASU (Zimbabwe National Students Union), supports the call for free sanitary wear. “Menstrual poverty is a systemic issue that requires a sustainable solution. The government should provide free sanitary wear to all girls, just like condoms are distributed for free. It’s a basic human right and a necessity for education.”
School children and teachers agree that continuous free distribution of sanitary pads by the government is the only solution to period poverty. “We need a consistent supply of sanitary pads, not just a one-off donation,” stated the schoolgirl. “It’s our right to education, and the government should ensure we can attend school without worrying about our periods.”
Pasable added, “ZINASU is advocating for the government to prioritize menstrual health and include it in the national budget. We believe that free sanitary wear will improve girls’ attendance, academic performance, and overall well-being.”
