MURIEL MINE – ZVIMBA North Member of Parliament, Marian Chombo, came to
the rescue of more than 180 girls after she handed over sanitary ware at Muriel Mine
High School recently.
Twelve female teachers also benefited from the initiative, which saw some packs
being put aside for emergencies.
Many girls especially those from the rural areas cannot afford the sanitary ware
because of their economic circumstances.
Many cannot afford enough sanitary as some need more than a pack every month.
The scarcity of sanitary ware in remote areas has seen rural girls improvising.
Bernard Chigadza, the nurse in charge of Muriel clinic said: "I encourage girls and
women to desist from using material such as dung, toilet paper and pieces of cloth. It
is not healthy at all and id unhygienic, to use these things as they may cause cervical
cancer, pelvic inflammatory diseases and even infertility.”
Most girls, especially those from vulnerable backgrounds normally skip school for at
least three days every month because they cannot afford sanitary ware. This results in
poor performance at school.
Girls said that feared being shamed when they have their menstrual periods and that
this was why they missed school during their monthly cycle.