Extra Mile Development Foundation has said it is committed in empowering and improving girls’ menstrual hygiene as one way towards its vision.
This call was made by the organizations Executive Director, Towera Ngwira during a handover ceremony of a girls changeroom block at St Dominic Primary School in Bwengu, Mzimba North.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Ngwira said lack of promoting menstrual hygiene is one of the challenges facing girls in school, and emphasized the importance of promoting girls’ menstrual hygiene.
“This is a major hindrance for the girls in accessing education. We are working very hard and remain committed to address menstrual hygiene issues.
“Apart from offering information sessions on menstrual hygiene, we are also offering trainings girls and mother groups in making reusable sanitary pads.
“We have also constructed changeroom blocks which will ensure girls to manage their period during classes which will reduce the rates of absenteeism.” She said.
Mzimba North School Health and Nutrition Assistant, Kondwani Nyirongo said the support has come at the right time citing the school had no changing rooms which orchestrated girls to be missing classes during their menses.
“Lack of changerooms significantly affected their education. We now expect improved performance and class attendance among female learners.” Said Nyirongo.
St Dominic Primary School Headteacher Gerald Mkandawire highlighted they were registering absenteeism among female learners due to period poverty as they lacked sanitary pads.
He said “We have cases where girls miss classes due to their menses. With the support from EMDEF, we expect improved class attendance and performance among our female learners.”
The project is being financed by Netherland based Nederlands Albert Schweitzer Fonds (NASF) to a tune of 8 million kwacha
