Reusable Sanitary Towels: Restoring Girls' Dreams

By Christabel Mundike, Communications Officer

For 12-year-old Jenifer, a Grade 6 learner, the arrival of her period used to mean the end of her education for a week each month.

“I had no pads to wear and no money to buy them,” Jenifer says. “I used to use pieces of old cloth. Sometimes I would just stay home because I was scared of staining my uniform.”

In the rural part of Zambia’s Southern Province, Jenifer’s story is a common one. For many schoolgirls, menstruation is not just a biological process; it is a source of anxiety that turns the classroom into a place of fear.

The Silent Crisis in the Classroom

The impact was visible to the teachers at Siamundele School. Attendance would dip predictably every month as bright students vanished from their desks.

“We saw that every month, some girls would miss class,” says Shine Sodala, one of the teachers. “It was worrying. These were bright learners, but menstruation was pushing them out of school.”

Restoring Dignity Through WASH

Everything began to change when World Vision Zambia introduced the Menstrual Health Management (MHM) initiative through its Water, Sanitation and Hygiene program. This was not just about providing supplies; it was about breaking a cycle of silence and shame.

The program introduced:

• Open Discussions: Breaking cultural taboos around menstrual health.
• Skill Training: Teaching both teachers and students how to make high-quality, reusable sanitary pads.
• Practical Solutions: Ensuring girls have the tools to manage their health independently.

“World Vision helped us break the silence,” Shine says. “Suddenly, the girls had options.”

A Future Without Barriers

For Tashila, another learner, the shift has been life-changing. She no longer looks at the calendar with dread.

“I’m so happy now because my periods don’t disturb my lessons anymore,” she says with a broad smile. “The reusable pads we make can last for a year, and they work really well.”

Jenifer agrees, standing taller and with more confidence than before. “I feel free in class now. I’m not worried anymore. I can focus.”

The results are reflected in the school’s records. Attendance has stabilised, and the girls are reclaiming their place at the top of their classes.

World Vision Zambia’s commitment to WASH is about more than hygiene; it is about dignity, inclusion, and equal opportunity. By equipping teachers and empowering learners like Jenifer and Tashila, we ensure that every child can pursue their education without fear.

Thanks to the support of our partners, the girls of Siamundele School are stepping back into the classroom with dignity, proving that a simple, practical intervention can restore a lifetime of hope.