The Sunday Mail
Natasha Kokai
Women in rural areas will be trained in making low-cost reusable sanitary pads in an initiative aimed at ensuring universal hygiene.
The programme is spearheaded by five Zimbabwean women who were recently awarded grants by the State Department of United States after an exchange programme in California.
The women presented the reusable sanitary pad project during the exchange programme that drew participation from 21 countries.
Zimbabwe was represented by Edith Mugehu, Prudence Katebu, Sandra Chipuka, Nothando Ndlovu and Natsai Mutezo.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Mrs Mugehu said: “We want to engage the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education so that the concept of making the reusable sanitary pad is included in the new curriculum under the Fashion and Fabrics subject.
“A pack of non-reusable pads costs about $3 which is out of reach for the average rural family. Therefore, we want to teach women and girls to make the pads for themselves. We have a prototype which we made in the USA.”
Many school girls, especially in rural areas, miss school because they cannot afford pads during mensuration.
Last week, Government proposed scraping duty on sanitary wear as part of the 2019 National Budget proposals.
