Sunday Women Matters with Blondie - Feminine and dignified through every month?

The SADC Gender Protocol requires that by 2015 member states ensure the provision of hygiene and sanitary facilities and nutritional needs of women, including those in prison.

The provision of sanitation and hygiene facilities is integral to improving women's health throughout the region. Poor sanitation results in the increased spread of communicable diseases such as TB and malaria to which women are particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, menstruation, pregnancy and post-natal care become increasingly difficult for women and girls without proper hygiene and sanitary facilities.

Although providing hygiene and sanitation facilities are provisions of the protocol, the developments have been slow in Zimbabwe. The first ever celebration of Menstrual Hygiene on the 28th of May, sent shockwaves througout the world as some Zimbabwean women and girls revealed that they use cowdung, among other highly unhygienic materials to manage their monthly mensies.

I daresay it is disgusting, incensing and abhorrent that Zimbabwe is a cotton- farming country, yet poor women and girls stuff their most sensitive and disease-receptive organs with cows' sh*t!

Arrgh! Iam not in the least happy and I have a busy week ahead with other progressive women, and yes, reasonable, considerate MEN working towards helping girls and women reclaim their feminine dignity. . .