Proper Sanitation and Menstruation Hygiene

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Proper Sanitation and Menstruation Hygiene

During our 2017 -2018 project implementation periods the Maboshe Memorial Centre (MMC) office was informed of girls and women in some of the organization operating zones using of cow dung instead of sanitary pads.

Menstruation is one of the signs that show that a girl is turning into a woman, this occurs monthly. It is a major stage of puberty in girls.

It’s quite unfortunate that in rural areas of Mongu district in Zambia and in the 21st Century there are girls who cannot be able to gain access to sanitary towels.

Girls and women of all ages and mostly in the age of 10-19 years have resorted to use cow dung, which makes into a flat shape and hang it out on the sun to dry and others also use cow dung which is made into a powder after dried in the sun. They make several pieces of them so that they can be able to use them for about three (3) months. When they are on their period, they take the dried cow dung and place it on their inner wear and put some pieces of cloth on top of the dried dung. They said that the dung acts as a sponge and absorbs the blood when it passes through the cloth.

According to the findings done by the Maboshe Memorial Centre (MMC) from Doctors in obstetrics and gynecology, say girls and women suffer from gynecological diseases due to the improper use of sanitary products. World Health Organization (WHO) claims that 63% of gynecological diseases are caused by using poor quality sanitary products as girls and women are vulnerable to infection during this delicate period and weakened immunity can lead to more serious health threats.

The girls and women in our operation zones in the rural areas say that they use cow dung because they cannot afford to buy proper sanitary wear or pad. For a woman to keep clean and prevent any leakages they may need more than one sanitary towel and those with a heavy flow may need up to 4 of them. This can be costly and can lead to the spending of more than US$20 (K200) per month and this is relatively expensive to people who are living in rural areas. I believe that Maboshe Memorial Centre (MMC) is trying to lobby from government and the donor community to subsidize the prices of sanitary towels and make it more affordable to everyone.

In our opinion, when in Zambia where some girls and women are still using cow dung, it shows that some leaders are not working to their full potential. In Zambia there are women representatives who’re in office to ensure that the girls and women are fully taken care of in ensuring that girls and women get access to sanitary wear.

In different parts of rural Mongu district or Western province of Zambia, girls and women especially school going girls choose to remain home every month while on their period. This causes girls to miss out on a lot, some even remain at home for almost a weak depending on how different the menses vary. A woman in Kembi Village said growing up, menstruation was a taboo topic to talk about openly because with it came dire consequences like isolation and utter embarrassment and a girls in Kannde Village she stays home during her period due to an experience she would love to forget. She said, “I cannot forget the humiliation i experienced when my fellow pupils saw blood on my uniform and it being a mixed school the boys made fun of me.” This experience shows exactly what happens to girls if they happen to soil their clothes while out in public.

Remember Menstruation is a healthy biological process that every healthy woman goes through at least three days in a month. This equates to having at least a packet of sanitary towels in a month. However, this commodity has been out of reach for many girls especially in the rural areas of western province, Zambia and they resort to other queer means like cow dung or torn cloths to “hide the shame”, more girls and women can access this commodity at cheaper rates and some for free. Menstrual hygiene is not an option but rather a necessity for every girl.

If poor attendance of girls in school is not addressed as a result of inadequate facilities that respond to girls’ menstrual challenges, because most girls lack supplies to safely and hygienically manage menstruation. Zambia risks missing achieving the Sustainable Development Goal Number: -

Menstrual hygiene is top on the agenda for the Maboshe Memorial Centre (MMC) because MMC prioritize girls’ education. That is why MMC is doing everything possible to ensure the girl child remains in school.

Maboshe Memorial Centre (MMC) feels that we have to break the silence and build awareness about the fundamental role that good Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) plays in enabling girls and women to reach their full potential in living a health life by promoting hygiene.

Issued by Maboshe Memorial Centre (MMC)

https://www.maboshememorialcentremmc.yolasite.com

 

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