Every girl deserves the opportunity to stay in school, every day of the month. The theme for this year's Menstrual Hygiene Day 2026, "Together for a #PeriodFriendlyWorld," highlights the collective responsibility to ensure that menstruation never becomes a barrier to education, dignity, or opportunity. At DAPP Zimbabwe, our mission through the Child Aid program in Shamva District is to support young girls with the knowledge, resources and confidence they need to manage their periods safely and comfortably, enabling them to remain in school and achieve their full potential.
Period poverty- the lack of access to menstrual products, adequate sanitation facilities, waste management and menstrual health education continues to affect the health, dignity and educational opportunities of young girls. For many learners at Mumhurwi Primary School in Shamva District, the inability to afford sanitary pads meant missing classes during menstruation.
Reports have shown that some girls would stay home during their menstrual periods, while others would leave school unexpectedly when menstruation started during the school day. Fear of embarrassment, stigma and a lack of menstrual supplies often left them with little choice. As a result, valuable learning time was lost, undermining their right to education and limiting their potential.
Recognizing this challenge, Child Aid Bindura/Shamva with the support of Miniconf through Humana People to People Italy stepped in with a practical and impactful intervention aimed at keeping girls in school and restoring their confidence. Through the End Period Poverty initiative, menstrual sanitary pads were procured and provided for adolescent girls aged 10 to 13 years at Mumhurwi School.
A total of 1,200 sanitary pads to support 76 girls in need of the pads. The sanitary pads were handed over to Mumhurwi school authorities. Distribution is conducted monthly for those in need ensuring that every beneficiary receives the support she needs to manage her menstrual hygiene with dignity. A monitoring register is maintained by both the school and the project team to ensure accountability and continuity of support.
While a packet of sanitary pads may seem like a small intervention, its impact is profound. It means fewer missed lessons, improved school attendance, increased confidence and greater opportunities for girls to achieve their educational goals. Most importantly, it sends a powerful message: menstruation should never stand in the way of a girl's future.By addressing period poverty, the project is not only supporting menstrual health and hygiene but also protecting girls' rights, dignity and access to education.