Project retains girls in school in Mangochi

Girls in Mangochi can now attend school without worrying about their menstrual-related hygiene courtesy of Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) which is championing a Community Resilience Project to encourage girls to go to school.

Moved by absenteeism of girls due to lack of sanitary pads, MRCS trained mother groups and teachers to make reusable sanitary pads for girls.

In an interview during the field tour on Saturday, chairperson of Misolo Mother Group, Dorothy M’dala, said the initiative has reduced school drop-out rate among girls and improved their performance as over 30 girls are now reaching Standard Eight and even getting selected to secondary schools.

“Previously, it was difficult to convince girls to go to school because they could cite lack of sanitary facilities. But now, it is easy because the girls can easily access the pads,’’ she said.

Mangochi District MRCS assistant project officer Chisomo Kamwendo said her organisation wants to build community resilience through the promotion of quality education among girls.

“Our project aims at empowering communities to be independent. Therefore, among the thematic areas we do is the issue of education,’’ she said.