Story by Tafara Chikumira, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE Government has launched the adolescent sexual reproductive health management programme as part of efforts to empower the girl child in previously marginalised communities.
The transition of the girl child into adolescence is usually associated with some evolution processes in their reproductive systems which require resourced interventions which give headaches to those from marginalised communities.
The government through the Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council has thus come up with a cocktail of measures to ensure a sustainable way of guaranteeing the availability of sanitary wear in vulnerable communities countrywide.
“This launch is very critical in various communities. We have realised that some students especially the girl child decide not to attend schooling during the time they enter their mensuration cycle. The dollar per pad can be too much for some of the children in vulnerable communities.
“For continuity, however, we will be having a programme where we want to ensure that every child has at least four reusable pads at any given time. This will be done through Education 5.0 where fashion fabrics departments will be provided with the necessary support.
“For those schools with no such facilities, we will be presenting some sawing machines to ensure the programme becomes a success,” said the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Slayman Kwidini.
“We are going to have a phased approach in implementing this project. We have since acquired some disposable pads we are currently distributing in this initial phase. However, we want to amplify this project by creating continuity. We will do this by training teachers on how to make reusable pads. We are working with several partners in ensuring the project reaches all the vulnerable in the community,” said Zimbabwe National Family Planning Council’s Midlands Provincial Manager, Mrs Karen Kangamwirai.
The Chiwundura community is excited about the life-changing programme.
The launch of the adolescent sexual reproductive health management system is in line with the Second Republic’s inclusive development agenda.
