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Loveness Bepete Chronicle Reporter
ABOUT 20 percent of rural school girls who menstruate do not attend school while they are menstruating because they can not afford sanitary ware. Some girls have to share the same piece of cloth to stem menstrual flow with their mothers, due to poverty.

The development has been linked to poor performances in most rural schools as girls reportedly lose about 528 days of learning from primary school up to Advanced Level.

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation has introduced a washable sanitary pad which can be used for up to 18 months to counter the problem.

The local SNV Capacity Builder, Ednah Bhala told participants at a Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) workshop in Bulawayo on Tuesday that the Reusable Menstrual Pads (Rumps) pads are meant to provide affordable sanitary wear for women.

Bhala bemoaned the use of leaves, newspapers and cow dung by some girls which she said can cause thrush, bruises, discomfort and diseases like cancer.

“About 45 percent of rural girls use pieces of old clothes and rags, 29 percent use cotton wool, 18 percent use pads and 3 percent used newspapers and leaves.”

“The explanation that they give to their parents and teachers is that they’re sick with a headache, stomach ache or some other ailment. 72 percent of rural primary school girls that menstruate, don’t use sanitary pads,” Bhala said.

She said 67 percent of the pupils that experienced their first menstrual flow at school spoilt their uniforms.

“In 54 percent of cases girls were mocked and stigmatised by boys during their menses. 46 percent of rural primary school girls that menstruate, have periods that last 3 to 4 days while 37 percent have periods that last 5 to 10 days. 70 percent of these girls are not aware of any sanitary pad brand on the market,” she said.

Bhala said the country sold 30 million sanitary pads annually, adding most shops in rural areas did not even stock pads.

“The rural sanitary pad market in Zimbabwe is worth more than $9 million annually.

“The rural school girls, sanitary pad market alone, is potentially worth $915, 840 annually and 30 million sanitary pads are sold in Zimbabwe annually,” Bhala said.

Bhala dismissed myths associated with menstrual periods.

“There are myths and cultural beliefs which are not true. For example, it is believed that if one has a period pain she will not be able to conceive children.

“In some cases on the first menses there is a particular person assigned to clean the blood, if ritual is not followed it is again believed that the person will not bear any children,” she said.

She urged parents to take a pivotal role in educating their children on menstrual health.