Mchinji school girls saved from menstrual challenges
Girls Empowerment Network (Genet) has donated equipment for sewing sanitary pads in its ongoing project called Happy, Healthy and Safe currently being implemented in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mavwere in Mchinji.
The items included, sewing machines (one electric and two manual), cloth, sewing accessories, pairs of scissors and needles.
Speaking at Waliranji Primary School where the handover ceremony took place, the organisation’s project manager Tamala Mhango said her organisation decided to donate the items after noticing the challenges girls face during menstruation.
“As Genet, we observed that many female learners fail to concentrate on their studies when they are menstruating. Instead, they stay home and work on their hygiene. As a result they miss classes four to five days monthly; hence, the decision to donate the items. Mother groups will be sewing sanitary pads for the girls,” said Mhango.
He was optimistic that the donation would improve school attendance by the learners.
Genet is being funded by Sexual Reproductive Health Rights African Trust whose programmes officer, Novice Bamusi, underscored the need to keep girls in school, saying their potential will contribute to national development.
The donation is valued at K9.3 million, according to Bamusi.
