BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Gift of the Givers Foundation has signed a two-year memorandum of understanding with the Football Association of Malawi (FAM) to provide menstrual hygiene cups to female players across the country.
The signing ceremony took place on Friday at Mpira Village in Chiwembe, Blantyre, where officials from both organizations gathered alongside players including members of the Malawi women’s national team, the Scorchers.
Gift of the Givers Country Director, Sherifa Mia expressed the foundation’s delight in partnering with FAM to address a challenge that often goes unnoticed but significantly affects women in sports.
“We have moved in to help footballers with menstrual hygiene cups because we understand football is not just a physical game it is also a mental game.The girls have to be confident when on the field of play. A single Mina Cup can last between five and ten years, making it cost-effective and environmentally friendly as there will be no need to constantly buy sanitary pads,”said Mia.
She added that the program will benefit 2,000 footballers linked to FAM with the aim of improving not only the players’ comfort but also their performance and mental well being.
FAM President Fleetwood Haiya hailed the donation as a major boost for women’s football in Malawi. He emphasized that menstrual health is a vital but often overlooked component of athlete performance.
“The Mina Silicon Menstrual Hygiene Cups will boost confidence in the players since they are sustainable, comfortable and safe to manage menstrual periods,” Haiya explained.
“This will inspire other young girls to take up football without fear or stigma,”he added.
Haiya revealed that the beneficiaries will include 350 footballers playing in the NBM Women’s Premiership, 720 players in the regional division leagues and all players in the national team structures including the under-20 squad, which is preparing for the World Cup qualifiers.
He also reassured the Gift of the Givers Foundation of FAM’s full accountability in managing the donation.
“We understand there are more donations to come from the Gift of the Givers. We want to assure you that you have found a partner you will wish you had met a long time ago,”Haiya explained.