Women are labeled as cry-babies; they are believed as people who just make noise for nothing. They say women are not factual when they make their outcries, but rather they are emotional. Question is, how far true is that? One of the issues that has led to the conclusion that women are attention seekers is the issue of the provision of sanitary wear. The provision of sanitary wear on its own is a human right, however, the women of the nation of Zimbabwe have to bear the brunt of resorting to the use of makeshifts methods of sanitary wear that are unsafe and unhygienic. Most retail shops are charging exorbitant fees on sanitary wear, with the lowest pack of pads going for more than $10 which is very unfair to all women. Come to think of it, beer now costs less than a pad which is ridiculous because clearly the rights of women are not taken seriously. The country actually prefers to provide beer that does not even have any nutritional component to the human body, to uplifting the dignity of women.

The number of girls who are dropping out of school because they do not have sanitary wear is absurd. It is estimated that 1 in 5 girls are married before they reach the age of 18. One of the reasons why these numbers are so high is because young girls do not have access to sanitary wear. Most girls are afraid to attend school when they are on their period because they fear the stigma they have to face if they happen to spoil themselves with their menses. They have to suffer from name calling hence, they end up opting dropping out of school as their only alternative. This has driven many girls into early child marriages as a way to escape the period shame they have to endure when they are at school. Henceforth, even depriving girls more because now their right to education is being trampled upon.

As women, we challenge the policy makers to consider the provision of free sanitary wear in schools and in workplaces. Why do we have to find condoms in most public spaces, but cannot find a pad in those same spaces. Can women use condoms to absorb or collect their menses? No, it is unheard of. We do applaud the government’s efforts for the removal of import duty and taxation on all sanitary wear. However, this has not helped the end user who are girls and young women. They have to bear the brunt of the economic conditions which are unfriendly to them. Therefore, we call on the government to include sanitary wear as a necessity in the national budget by allocating a sum amount of money towards the provision of these vital products. They should also consider involving women in the manufacturing of the products, by imparting them with the necessary skills which will help them socially and economically. By the community being given the chance to manufacture its own sanitary wear, it will lessen the burden on them and give room to do away with period poverty.

There is also need for the Education Bill to be revised so that it incorporates menstrual hygiene management as part and parcel of the curriculum as a means to do away with baseless taboos and myths which leads to stigma, indignity and humiliation. In this regard, girls and women may retain their self-esteem which is one of the three core values of development. The government committed to be the custodian of every citizen’s rights by signing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which declares that all persons are equal therefore women should not be discriminated against.

Women’s rights are human rights and they need to be protected, but currently their rights are being infringed on because they are being deprived of their basic need. The realisation that menstruation is a biological make up will lead to women not disregarding themselves and it will also help do away with the myths and taboos surrounding menstruation.