A Zomba-based well-wisher, Chifundo Chatonda, has donated re-usable sanitary pads to 50 girls at Nsala Community Day Secondary School in Zomba District.

Speaking on Thursday after the handover, she said many adolescent girls miss classes during their menstrual periods for fear of stigma from their male counterparts.

“The donation is courtesy of Msambo Uphweke Campaign which seeks to complement government and other organisation’s efforts to promote girls’ hygiene in schools and communities,” said Chatonda.

The girls wave the sanitary pads

She said many girls fail to buy sanitary pads because they come from poor backgrounds, as such, there is need for well-wishers to help them with pads to remain in school.

“I pledge to continue helping needy girls with sanitary pads and will mobilise more resources to reach out to the remaining 160 girls at the school,” said Chatonda.

The school’s head teacher, Andrew Tsoka, said mother groups sell reusable pads at K1 000 each, but most students are unable to afford.

“It has been two years now since we stocked sanitary pads at the office,” he said.

Form One student, Rehema Chibwana said the reusable pads will enable her attend classes during her menses.

Unesco report released in 2016 estimates that one in 10 girls in sub-Saharan Africa misses school during their menstrual cycle.

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