MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday revealed some of their most intimate secrets during debate on a motion calling for scrapping of duty on sanitary wear when some of them divulged that they used tree bark as an alternative during the liberation struggle.
The motion was introduced by MDC Proportional Representation MP Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
It turned emotional as Mushonga told the whole House that she was herself actually menstruating and had opened up to dispel the myths that discussing menstruation and sanitary wear was taboo.
She brought samples of sanitary wear such as panty pads, tampons and cotton wool to illustrate her argument.
Her openness and explicitness while debating caused Zanu PF chief whip Joram Gumbo to leave the House, saying it was a painful and difficult debate for him to listen to.
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“This motion is not frivolous. It teaches men and women on how to deal with their wives and daughters because traditionally it was taboo to discuss menstrual issues, but it has come to a point that in desperation, we are having to raise the issue of sanitary wear because for 34 years after independence, government has failed to provide this to women,” Misihairabwi-Mushonga said.
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“As it is now, I am having my period and I am sure there are other female MPs having theirs and the reason why I am raising this is that we can afford sanitary wear and perfume and it is not horrible to imagine it. But imagine if we were using leaves and passing nasty smells in the House, most men would not tolerate it.”
Misihairabwi-Mushonga said it was costly for women to finance sanitary wear for seven days as it would need several packets of cotton wool, tampons or pads which could cost more than $21 per month.
Jasmine Toffa (MDC) who seconded the motion said it was imperative for government to introduce industries that manufactured sanitary wear to make it affordable.
Mutare South MP Nyasha Chikwinya (Zanu PF) said during the liberation struggle, she and other women had to crush tree bark for use as sanitary wear.
“We had no choice, but to crush tree bark and it caused us to have sores in between the thighs and exposed us to ill health. It is painful that 34 years after independence, women cannot afford sanitary wear and have to use unhygienic means such as leaves, newspapers and tissues as pads. One of these days, female MPs will boycott putting on pads to force government to remove duty on sanitary wear,” Chikwinya said.
Kuwadzana East MP (MDC-T) Nelson Chamisa said sanitary wear should be free and suggested it be placed at all public toilets in the same manner with condoms. Zanu PF legislator for Mutasa South Irene Zindi said some rural girls were using cow dung, maize cobs or leaves during their menstrual cycle.
