Govt spends K30 million on 3 million sanitary towels to enhance hygiene for women

Government has announced the procurement of close to three million sanitary towels at the cost of K30 million.

Ministry of Education Director Schools Health and Nutrition, Malalu Mulundika, revealed this during the commemoration of Menstruation Day at University of Zambia in Lusaka on Friday.

Mulundika said the Ministry is committed to enhance Menstrual hygiene management for girls in schools to provide equitable learning environment and government is also half way through the procurement for 2023.

He has advised that all stakeholders should be in hurry to curb stigma associated with menstruation so that girls are not disadvantaged in schools.

“Research has shown that the education and health of girls are impacted by menstruation and that for half the population, menstrual concerns impede gender equality,” Mulundika said.

He has called on NGOs and private entrepreneurs to work together and make sanitary towels more affordable to make menstruation normal.

“Evidence also shows that menstruation is still stigmatized in Zambia and elsewhere. profoundly entrenched beliefs of shame, silence, and exclusion of women and girls, thereby limiting their potential,” Mulundika said.

He said education, awareness, and menstrual hygiene products and facilities are necessary to normalize menstruation by 2030.

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