mbulelo smpofu
Nokuthaba Brita Ncube, ncubenokuthababrita@gmail.com
THE Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) has commended Government for prioritising the provision of sanitary wear for disadvantaged girls, a move seen as critical in addressing gender disparities in education.
In its 2023 annual report on gender analysis for the 2024 National Budget, the ZGC noted that the high cost of sanitary products continues to be a significant barrier for vulnerable girls, forcing many to resort to unhygienic alternatives or even contraceptives to halt menstruation.
The report stated that the provision of sanitary and hygiene materials is essential, as many girls lack access to these products leading to school absenteeism during menstruation.
“Girls did not have access to sanitary wear hence they were forced to skip school when they are menstruating,” reads part of the report. Government has taken several steps to address this challenge.
In 2018, customs duty on sanitary wear was removed following years of lobbying by gender activists and legislators. This was followed by the launch of the Free Sanitary Wear initiative in 2020, announced by Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, who allocated ZW$200 million for the procurement and distribution of sanitary products to rural girls.
The programme commenced in January 2020 and has since expanded. In 2022, the treasury allocated US$1,5 billion to ensure sanitary wear reached public schools across the country.
Beyond Government efforts, international partners like Unicef have also contributed significantly. Between 2017 and 2022, Unicef supported over five million women and children in Zimbabwe through the Supporting a Resilient Health System (SRHS) programme funded by the UK. This initiative has helped improve access to hygiene and sanitary products for women and girls in need.
Gender expert Mrs Thokozile Tshuma commended the national budget’s gender-responsive initiatives in a recent post-budget analysis.
She said the budget reflects a foundational commitment to addressing gender issues through social, economic and health programmes.
“However, to enhance effectiveness, there is a need for more targeted programmes addressing the specific challenges faced by women, particularly in areas of economic empowerment, gender-based violence and decision-making processes,” said Mrs Tshuma.
She also emphasised the importance of establishing a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the impact of these initiatives on gender equality.
Government’s Call to Action policy continues to address societal challenges, aiming to foster community development and ensure no girl is left behind.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
