The Ministry of Health and Social Services hosted a Menstrual Health and Hygiene Day at Eenhana to create awareness of the importance of good menstrual health and management.
The day was preceded by a street march by learners and was further marked with dances and songs, sending a strong message about the importance of menstrual health and hygiene in schools.
Wendy Nashilongo a learner at PH Mwanadingi read the statement on behalf of all girls.
The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Services Dr. Utjiua Muinjangue, says poor menstrual hygiene management contributes to inequity and increasing exposure to transactional sex in order to obtain sanitary products.
"This is mainly caused by the non-conducive environments at schools and sometimes even in households due to lack of sanitation facilities, lack of commodities (sanitary pads), and lack of understanding of this natural phenomenon especially by our boys and young men. Due to menstruation, these challenges have mostly led to the girls missing an average of three to five (3-5) school days every month."
She said the Ministry in partnership with relevant ministries, UN agencies and development partners, are committed to the effective implementation of the Integrated School Health Programme activities nationwide.
This programme aims to promote an optimum healthy body, mind and soul for every school-going child and the community through the provision of school-based health services, health promotion activities, and maintenance of a clean and hygienic learning environment in schools.
"We, therefore, call upon our partners from different line ministries, especially the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, the national custodian of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, in collaboration with the Ministry of Works and Transport to ensure the availability of water and sanitation facilities at our schools."
The UNFPA Country Representative Gift Malunga, emphasizes the importance of providing girls and women with the necessary information, resources and support to manage their needs.
"Globally the evidence for action continues to grow to bring attention to the challenges faced by school-aged girls around managing menstruation in educational settings that lack adequate physical environments and social support in low and middle-income countries. The overarching vision is to ensure that girls have the information, support and enabling school environment for managing menstruation with dignity, safety and contort by 2023."
The day was commemorated under the theme "Together, we can make menstruation a Normal Fact of life by 2023".