Girl Child Empowerment of Zimbabwe (GCE Zim) works towards giving equal educational opportunities to girls through a campaign titled ‘My pad, my period, my pride’. The campaign is run through National University of Science and Technology and Great Zimbabwe University clubs.
The GCE Zim supports girls by donating stationery and re-usable sanitary pads in marginalised parts of Masvingo and Matabeleland. This assists in guaranteeing that girls do not miss lessons during their menstrual cycles.
The girls that received stationery and sanitary pads said provision of these improves their attendance and chances of excelling academically.
During the campaign at Mzinyathini High School, pupils pointed out that most of their parents are unemployed and cannot afford to buy sanitary pads. They then resort to using old clothes which leave them prone to infections. Some said they miss school for a week every month.
Siphiwe Nkawule, said, “There are schoolmates that struggle to get sanitary towels. It is very embarrassing when one does not have them.”
GCE Zim is ensures that rural commercial farmers, women in mining, marginalised and vulnerable girls and women have access to health care, fundamental human rights, safe and clean water, sanitation, shelter and food.
