Chrispen Tabvura
ZimEye Correspondent
Masvingo District’s chiefs and custodians of the traditional values and cultures have succumbed to SNV’s sanitary wear outreach, thereby putting to rest the taboo issue of publicly discussing about women’s menstruation.
In a situation that has been welcome by women and girl children as a breakthrough, chiefs were divided over the outreach of the sanitary issue, while others were supporting the programme as they labelled it a saviour of their girl children from cancer related illnesses.
Chief Musara told ZimEye.com that he fully supports the SNV sanitary programme; it created awareness and self-employment for those groups that are making the RUMP (reusable menstrual pads) for sale. “I am solidly in full support of this programme, as it has created health clubs in my jurisdiction and also in schools in my wards, teachers have created timetables for training girls and boys on the importance of hygiene including menstrual hygiene management. I am also going to encourage my community to use this opportunity of health programmes to get rid of any health complications and myths surrounding menstruation as it deprives women and girls full access to health care” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by those of chief Chibwe, who said, “The sanitary issue particularly the self-made pads must be taken seriously, as this has benefited child headed families. Many girl children who have been losing classes during their periods, have been assisted by this outreach and practical action, as they were taught to manufacture the pads.”
While other chiefs endorsed the SNV sanitary programme, Chief Mugabe was of the opinion that he was not going to preach the sanitary pads gospel, as it remained a taboo for men to talk about it. “I am not going to preach the pads issue as a chief, but I will accept the programmes to be done through our wives. I will only attend chiefs’ briefings on the issue, but not to get involved because it is taboo, customary values should not change, because of development interventions,” he said.
Lindile Ndebele the Senior Water and Sanitation Adv[lightbox link=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2015/03/Chief-Chibwe-stressing-a-point-during-SNVs-sensatisation-meeting-in-Masvingo.-Pic-BY-Chrispen-Tabvura.jpg” thumb=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2015/03/Chief-Chibwe-stressing-a-point-during-SNVs-sensatisation-meeting-in-Masvingo.-Pic-BY-Chrispen-Tabvura-348×232.jpg” width=”348″ align=”none” title=”Chief Chibwe stressing a point during SNV’s sensatisation meeting in Masvingo. Pic BY Chrispen Tabvura” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]
[lightbox link=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2015/03/Chirichoga-High-school-girl-friendly-latrine-cleaning-in-progress.-Pic-BY-Chrispen-Tabvura.jpg” thumb=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2015/03/Chirichoga-High-school-girl-friendly-latrine-cleaning-in-progress.-Pic-BY-Chrispen-Tabvura-348×232.jpg” width=”348″ align=”none” title=”Chirichoga High school girl friendly latrine cleaning in progress. Pic BY Chrispen Tabvura” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]
[lightbox link=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2015/03/Masvingo-District-chiefs-captured-discusiing-during-SNV-sensatisation-meeting.-Pic-By-Chrispen-Tabvura.jpg” thumb=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2015/03/Masvingo-District-chiefs-captured-discusiing-during-SNV-sensatisation-meeting.-Pic-By-Chrispen-Tabvura-348×232.jpg” width=”348″ align=”none” title=”Masvingo District chiefs captured discusiing during SNV sensatisation meeting. Pic By Chrispen Tabvura” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]isor, who is leading the facilitation team on the outreach in Masvingo District, applauded the traditional leaders, for accepting the development and lifesaving agendas carried out by SNV a Netherlands development organisation. “I am humbled by the chiefs and would like to thank them for this breakthrough in saving women and girls from various infections caused by lack of information around menstrual hygiene management. It was a challenge for girls and women to openly discuss issues around menstruation.”