Menstrual Hygiene Day: A Fun Filled Affair
Menstrual Hygiene Day was celebrated on the 28th May worldwide, to raise awareness, open discussions and highlight the importance of good menstrual hygiene management. In Zimbabwe, the day was celebrated through a Menstrual Health Expo from 26th – 28th May 2022 in a high density suburb of Mabvuku in Harare. The Expo ran under a localized theme, ‘Action and Investment in Menstrual Hygiene and Health’
By Donald Dube (ZNFPC)
Different stakeholders participated in this event targeting adolescents and young people through a series of community exhibitions sharing experiences, training participants on making reusable pads, distributing disposable and reusable sanitary wear targeting community members especially Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW). The activity was however, undertaken in strict observance of COVID-19 guidelines with sanitizing, social distance and wearing of masks observed.
Traditionally, issues to do with sexuality in general and menstruation in particular are considered as private matters that are not discussed openly. Many young girls prefer to hide the fact that they are having their menses due to the stigma attached to it. The stigma attached to menstruation and lack of sanitary wear is increased by lack of finances and access to proper sanitary wear such as, tampons and panty pads by most adolescent girls. Some girls and young women suffer from reproductive health infections due to the improper use of sanitary products. The social stigmas and taboos surrounding menstruation often prevent women and girls from attending work and school hence failing to reach their full potential in life.
Speaking at the Menstrual Health Expo, the Family Planning Brand Ambassador Mrs. Adiona Chidzonga said, “Poor menstrual hygiene can be singled out as one of the reasons why some adolescent girls do not reach full potential because it contributes to irregular attendance and school drop-out among girls. If a girl misses school due to her monthly period issues, they tend to lag behind in their school work. If the issue of access to sanitary pads for girls is not attended to, the gains realized in empowering girls will be reversed thereby affecting the girl child’s ability to achieve her goals and vision.”
The three day event was filled with lifetime experiences as adolescent girls were trained on making reusable sanitary wear. Drama and poetry sessions were performed to bring out how the girl child is at times affected by the unavailability of proper sanitary wear. The performances opened up avenues for open discussions between parents and children on matters of sexuality and reproductive health.
During the menstrual hygiene management fitness sessions, young girls were taught on the ways in which sanitary pads are used and also disposed. This lead to the session were questions are asked and therefore ensuring that the girl child is empowered to not only understand issues to deal with the use of the pads but even understanding and respecting her own body. Young boys were also incorporated to appreciate menstruation as a natural cycle of a woman’s life hence they should not ‘name and shame’ girls during their periods. Girls received sanitary wear as a starter pack and parents were encouraged to prioritize and procure proper sanitary products for the good health of the girls.
One of the principal organizers of the event, the Director of Cycle Health Zimbabwe (CHEZI), Mrs Fadzai Gava expressed gratitude to all stakeholders that graced the event. In her appreciation she said, “The event managed to achieve its objectives to acknowledge the gains made thus far, celebrate the contribution of all players in the fight against ‘period poverty’ and stigma with the notion of reminding ourselves of the work that awaits us supported by shared best practices. Networking and the establishment of alliances to strengthen advocacy efforts towards advancing the menstrual hygiene needs for adolescent girls is fast becoming a reality.”
Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council (ZNFPC) offered free clinical services during the days, to compliment information services provided by other stakeholders. HIV Testing services, contraception service provision, counselling and referrals for other reproductive health issues were undertaken. The community of Mabvuku were left wanting more as a superb musical performance by ‘Poptain’ a renowned Dancehall artist closed the Menstrual Hygiene and Health Expo in style.