Story by Tamuka Charakupa
More than 400 vulnerable children in Norton have received sanitary wear after the success of a local fundraising initiative to promote girl-child hygiene.
The initiative is part of efforts by the local community to end period poverty upon the realisation that thousands of learners are dropping or missing school due to lack of sanitary wear.
Norton Junior Mayor, Trish Nyamidzi told the ZBC News, “As children representatives, we welcome this initiative because the majority suffer in silence as they cannot afford sanitary wear.”
A beneficiary said, “Often at times we laugh and shame those who spoil while at school and they end up losing confidence or even avoid coming to school.”
The initiative dubbed ‘Donate a Pad’ is a brainchild of Norton councilor, Shungu Peter Tsomondo.
“As a community leader, I saw it fit to organise this initiative with the view to assist our vulnerable girls. We have reports that some of our girls are missing school due to a lack of sanitary wear hence this initiative. At least four hundred vulnerable children including orphans and child-headed families are benefiting. Resources permitting we want to ensure this initiative doesn’t stop,” she said.
Chegutu District AIDS Coordinator for the National AIDS Council, Mrs Virginia Tausa weighed in, saying lack of basic needs is one of the leading factors contributing to HIV infections among young girls.
“Our young girls end up doing obscene things to make ends meet and one of the basic needs is sanitary wear. If parents cannot afford it, if the community doesn’t assist, the end game is prostitution. As NAC we welcome this development as key in addressing some of the contributing factors of early HIV infections,” she said.
Government, through the call-to-action policy, is tackling societal issues to promote community development.
