Legislators in Bulawayo are pushing for provision of sanitary wear in schools for girls to end period poverty.
The legislators Sichelesile Mahlangu (Pumula) and Discent Bajila (Emakhandeni-Luveve) made the call during Plan International’s commemoration of the Menstrual Hygiene Advocacy Day in Bulawayo last week.
Speaking during a panel discussion on access and affordability of menstrual products, Bajila expressed concern over the unavailability of sanitary wear.
“There is a need to focus on that most young people, school-going age, because of poverty in the country, are also affected by situations whereby somebody does not have the money for them to go through menstruation; the reality is that some care spaces are not easy, or freely available,” Bajila said.
“That is what we should be focused on. Mainly because there are places where condoms are available for free, the use of a condom is a result of a choice, but when someone has to use a pad, it's not a choice, but nature. If condoms are available for free, surely pads must be also be available for free.”
Meanwhile, ward 17 councillor Sikhululekile Moyo has said 31 schools receive sanitary wear for vulnerable girls.
“As the City of Bulawayo, we have a gender policy which covers issues of hygiene, especially for young girls. We have a budget every year, which is for schools.
“We have 31 schools in the city, which we provide sanitary pads to, with one secondary school, Sizalendaba Secondary School. We make sure there are enough pads for the girls in adolescence,” she said.
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