LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Female learners in public secondary and primary schools are demanding free sanitary pads in a bid to improve their menstrual hygiene.
According to the learners, provision of free sanitary pads will tame absentism due to monthly menstrual periods.
One of the students, Tadala Banda from Biwi Community Day Secondary School observes that access to menstrual hygiene materials including sanitary pads, changing rooms, and clean water are hampering their education.
Banda complained that despite repeatedly raising the issue with relevant authorities nothing is working.
She also highlighted challenges girls face in schools due to menstruation including absenteeism, discrimination from their male counterparts and among others.
Tadala therefore appealed to the government and non-governmental organizations to take action, saying the challenges are negatively affecting girls’ education at her school.
“We need free sanitary pads in schools the same way condoms are provided in public facilities.
“This will help us to have full access to education during our menstrual periods”, appeals Banda.
She was speaking in a panel discussion during this year’s commemoration of Menstrual Hygiene Day in the capital Lilongwe on Friday.
The appeal comes despite Malawi making progress in Menstrual hygiene especially on the provision of water supply in schools despite some few gaps.
Deputy Director for Sanitation in the Ministry of Health and Sanition, Mathews Kalaya indicated that the country is not far in terms of the achievements on Menstrual Hygiene with 80 percent progress.
“The country is not far in terms of the ideal situation because for menstrual hygiene to be possible we need the facilities in schools like water, toilets and adequate and safe water supply for girls to use during their menstruation,” he said.
According to Kalaya there are gaps in schools of change rooms facilities and enough toilets. “A number of schools that have these facilities are not more than 50 per cent.”
He said most girls miss school during their menstruation period which needs to be looked upon critically as a country.
AHF Country Program Manager, Triza Kakhobwe Hara said her Foundation is promoting girls to have all the opportunities to remain in school by providing them with Sanitary pads and pants, while in other schools, toilets and change rooms have been constructed.
“We are putting our effort to address some of the barriers that girls encounter during their education,” she emphasized.
Hara bemoaned challenges like inadequate funding from both donors and domestic resources as well as lack of coordination among players.
