Firms take a stand against period poverty

LETTICIA MAGOMBO

The Period Company Zimbabwe has partnered with securities firm Morgan & Co to assist women in Chipinge and Chimanimani  districts in Manicaland Province access menstrual products,  Business Times can report.

Period Company’s business development manager, Fadzai Chilundo said the move  was part of efforts in the fight against period poverty, which is  the lack of access to sanitary products, menstrual hygiene education. Women who experience period poverty have no capacity to purchase menstrual products.

“As part of our corporate social responsibility initiative, we offer them packages or draft a package according to the number of girls  to target or donate to.”

“In this instance the company (Period) received a sponsorship from Morgan & Co, the securities firm,” Chilundo, said.

She added: “Morgan & Co decided they wanted to impact the girls and women that were affected by cyclone Idai in Manicaland Province.

“For the pad drive conducted in Manicaland (we) impacted over 600 girls and young women. The young women were given and taught how to use menstrual cups which can last up to 5 years and for the younger girls, they were given reusable pads, that is, five pads per child.”

The reason for the use of these is the realisation by the company of a need for a longer lasting solution to period poverty.

Previously the company  gave five packs of pads to each girl, and this  lasted for five months.

“The drive was well received, and the women loved the fact that the menstrual cup would last them for up to five years and they were very receptive to the products.”

The company intends to conduct more pad drives in the future and engage corporates to donate to the cause.

She said free sanitary wear and sanitary bins should be installed in all public and school restrooms and businesses.

If not addressed, she said period poverty will result  in school absenteeism and high levels of cervical cancer in women.