Red Cross promotes menstrual hygiene
The Malawi Red Cross Society (MRCS) has said promotion of menstrual hygiene is an important step in enhancing girls’ commitment to education.
Speaking in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chapananga in Chikwawa on Saturday, MRCS head of health Dan Kapombosola said it is worrisome to note that menstruation continues to be an obstacle in girls’ education.
He said girls, particularly those in rural areas, do not go to school during their menstrual days.
Through a project called Community Resilience, the organisation is constructing washrooms for girls in schools and training women to work with the girls to promote hygiene and how to make reusable sanitary pads.
Said Kapombosola: “Goal number four of the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] calls for equal access to education among boys and girls.
“However, girls continue to be disadvantaged as most of them skip classes during their menstrual days.
“In our reviews, we found that girls lose almost 16 days of school per term, leading to poor performance during exams.”
Speaking during the event, T/A Chapananga hailed the project, saying it has helped to keep girls in school in his area.
He said the project has helped to keep girls in school.
In her remarks, Chikwawa West legislator Susan Dossi (Independent) encouraged girls to continue with education if they are to become useful citizens in future. She also advised boys to support girls’ education.
Menstrual Hygiene Management Commemorations are held on May 28 worldwide.
