Zim women resort to cow dung in place of expensive sanitary pads

Rural Zimbabwean women have revealed shocking news that the high cost of sanitary pads in the country is forcing them to use cow dung during their period.

The revelation came out during a the inaugural Menstrual Hygiene Day held by the Ministry of Health at Seke communal lands on Wednesday. Women from across all ages and classes of the community made shocking confessions on how they manage their monthly challenge. The women indicated that they use things like tree leaves, pieces of cloth and even fresh grass to save themselves from the embarrassment of soiling themselves in public.

A coalition of international and national organisations observed the first-ever Menstrual Hygiene Day today. From this year onwards, the day will be celebrated on May 28 (the 28th day of the 5th month of every year), because a woman's menstrual cycle generally repeats in 28 days and she has the menstrual for five days a month.

Supported by more than 130 amazing partners worldwide, coming together from social businesses, non- governmental organisations, advocates, campaigns and dedicated individuals, this day emphasises the integrity of a woman's body and the dignity of menstruation. Menstrual Hygiene Day will help to break the silence and build awareness about the fundamental role that good menstrual hygiene management plays in enabling women and girls to reach their full potential.

Young girls speaking at the inaugural function which ran under the theme "Menstruation is Natural" explained that they have to miss school every-time they have their period as they can not afford the sanitary pads. Some girls claimed that their schools did not have adequate toilet facilities for them to use as they share with boys and some of the toilets don't have doors making it difficult for them to use the facilities during their period.

Speaking in an interview from Harare, Bulawayo24 women matters columnist Ms Lorraine Blondie Sibanda described the challenge Zimbabwean Women encounter during their period as "a bleeding disaster".

"This is a bleeding disaster which should be a serious embarrassment to government and other stake holders on women issues. Serious efforts must be made by government to make sure that sanitary pads are not a difficult thing to access especially for young women in the rural areas," she said.

"Our menstrual period is what makes us women and the moment we find ourselves failing to manage that then we have failed managing our womanhood and loss of womanhood is the death of society," she added.