By Taurai Masikamba
In a remarkable display of dedication, Mayor Annah Sande of Epworth has taken proactive steps to address period poverty among young school going girls in her community.
Through her initiative, she has been distributing sanitary pads, ensuring no young girl misses out on education due to a lack of menstrual hygiene products.
Epworth is one of the many communities in Zimbabwe grappling with period poverty, and this is worsened by water shortages leading to poor menstrual hygiene.
Since assuming office as the youngest mayor in Epworth’s history, Mayor Sande (25) has made it a priority to uplift the lives of vulnerable members of society.
Recognizing the significant impact of period poverty on girls’ education, she decided to take action and provide a solution to this pressing issue.
Mayor Sande’s campaign aims to break the barrier of period poverty and empower young girls to pursue their dreams without hindrance.
By ensuring that these girls have access to sanitary pads, she believes they will be able to attend school regularly, maintain their dignity, and focus on their education.
In this campaign, Mayor Sande has already distributed hundreds of sanitary pads to schools across Epworth. She personally oversees the distribution process, ensuring that the pads reach the girls who need them the most.
Speaking about her motivation behind this initiative, Mayor Sande emphasized the importance of equal opportunities for all.
“No girl should be deprived of education or face embarrassment due to something as natural as menstruation. By addressing period poverty, we are creating an inclusive environment where every girl can thrive,” she stated.
Today we have managed to support at least 100 adolescent girls who are sitting for their grade 7 exams with a 3 month supply of disposable sanitary pads. This initiative is highly impactful in that we have reduced the chances of these girls missing exams or experiencing some other stresses which are attributed to period poverty. We reached girls from Domboramwari Primary school in ward 3, Chinamano Primary School in ward 7 and other colleges.
Mayor Annah Sande
The response from the community has been overwhelmingly positive, with parents, educators, and local residents lauding Mayor Sande’s efforts.
Many have expressed their gratitude for her commitment to improving the lives of young girls and breaking the stigma surrounding menstruation.
As Mayor Annah Sande continues her inspiring work, she serves as a beacon of hope for Epworth and beyond. Her dedication to empowering young girls and eradicating period poverty sets a remarkable example for leaders everywhere.