Parliament has approved the motion that government should provide adequate sanitation and sanitary towels to girls in public schools.
This follows a motion moved by Chembe Member of Parliament Sebastian Kopulande.
Dr. Kopulande says there is need for policy formulations to ensure girl child education is supported.
He also thanked First Lady Esther Lungu for her dedicated efforts towards addressing menstrual and sanitary conditions for girls in rural areas.
And contributing to the debate, Information Minister Dora Siliya called on entrepreneurs especially the youth to take up the opportunity and venture into the production of re-usable sanitary pads which will address the challenges faced by girls in rural areas.
Ms. Siliya said providing sanitary pads to girls in schools should be viewed as an important investment in human development.
Meanwhile, General Education Minister, David Mabumba said government is already addressing the challenges faced by girls in accessing sanitary facilities.
And Kafue Member of Parliament Mirriam Chonya said the measure will serve as a response to address the root causes of child marriages because girls will be kept in schools.
This is good, especially rural schools.
Good news for our girl child. It will also help improve the grades as attendance will go up.
Can this gesture be extended to private schools in rural areas especially as they are equal partners with govt in provision of education in rural setups.
Finally… Our efforts of lobbying have paid off
Fantastic. Way to go honourables. Let’s roll….
Excellent stuff. Now let’s get some social entrepreneurs WITHIN the country (for a change) to begin providing skills on how our girls can sustainably access those sanitary materials. I know that in countries like Nepal they are making reusable pads; in Kenya there is the plastic reusable cup, etc. Let’s not begin doing strange things like the way we ended up ordering expensive fire engines when all that people needed was sustainable material to mitigate fires. Home grown solutions banzanga.
Are you implying that there is a connection between sanitary pads and the brain?
I love this, very good news. Access and attendance by our girls to education will improve. Not only that but performance by the girls will definitely improve as well. God bless
OUR PALIAMENT IS GOOD AT TALKING NOT IMPLEMENTING, UPTO NOW MANY SCHOOLS ARE CHARGING SCHOOL FEES ABOVE THOSE PRESCRIBED BY THE HEALTH MINISTER JUST HEAR IN LUSAKA, A CASE IN POINT FORMER SOS SCHOOL IS CHARGING k1500 PER TERM, EVEN THIS SANITARY THING WILL JUST BE ON PAPER
SORRY PARLIAMENT AND EDUCATION MINISTER – EMOTIONS AT PLAY
This should be extended to all public Universities and Colleges or even homes for the girl child who does not go to school to benefit. Later the program can be rolled out to the homes for the aged as there is enough evidence that menstrual cycles resume after 70.
Honestly I think this should be left to parents to attend to. What about the boys, are you going to provide tissue for every boy. I honestly think that there are better things to worry about than this particular one. Let’s not take responsibility away from parents. Next it will be underwear. One can’t wear the pads without underwear. In fact this issue should be left private. Let’s also think of civic education on these things. Some girls might think that these can be worn for months without changing or they can be washed and worn again. Please also verify the intentions of the donner for these free sanitary pads. before you know the girls will be chasing men.
stated like an ignorant boy who doesnot understand how costly it is for parents to fund a girl for sanitary pads every months for the next 40 years upon attaining puberty. We should aim to improve lives and not turn a blind eye to the hardships half of the earths population faces monthly