#EndPeriodPoverty for Girls in Rural Zimbabwe

Our report is months late... Our sincere apologies. We have had to go back to the drawing board to find creative ways to get the resources we need to support the vulnerable girls and keep them in school. We are always grateful for the support you give and hopefully we will be able to bring it up to the levels we were before this dry season.

We partnered with Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe and provided dignity kits containing reusable sanitary pads and underwear to 133 girls at Pfumvuti Primary and Secondary Schools in Shamva. These schools are only 115km from the capital Harare but getting there seems like you have stepped into a totally different world. The last 10km of the drive felt like 30km because of the state of the road. It was heart warming to see the smiles of disbelief on the girls' faces because someone had remembered them. We had an unbelievable time, laughing, singing, dancing and talking about all things menstrual health and hygiene. We encouraged them to work hard in school to change the trajectory of their lives, their families and their community.

The Stanbic Bank team shared on their careers and encouraged the girls that they too can achieve whatever they dream of with the hardwork, commitment and discipline that is required. The teachers noted that menstrual hygiene products are a huge problem as the girls miss school on the days they have their periods due to lack of basic hygiene products. As a result their grades are lower than their male counterparts. There are also high drop out rates due to early marriages and teen pregnancies. The visit and the session gave a ray of hope to all the girls present.

Grateful for the support from our local private sector companies. Period poverty is everyone's problem and we all need to take collective action to tackle this issue and give the girls the rights to an education that they so deserve.

Links:

• Testimonial from a teacher at Pfumvuti School

Meet Nyasha, a nineteen year old beneficiary of the programs run through Talia Women's Network. Nyasha is the eldest child in a very humble family and has benefited from the generosity of the supporters of Talia Women's Network. She received a dignity kit and menstrual health and hygiene education during one of the outreach sessions. Nyasha further enrolled for the UPLIFT Leadership Development program where she received training and mentoring which motivated her to complete her high school education and build her confidence. As her confidence grew, Nyasha was bold enough to start hosting online chat programs to create awareness on the extent of period povery in Zimbabwe and to discuss topics such as endometriosis and how girls suffering from it can cope during their monthly cycle.

Nyasha testifies that the programs through Talia helped her identify her prupose in life and built her self-confidence and self-awareness. Nyasha received guidance on career choices as well as awareness of entrepreneurship as a second career option in a country with a high unemployment rate. Through her podcast: My Period Talk Show, Nyasha has been able to break cultural barriers by focussing on conversations on all things relating to menstruation. She hosts experts in the medical and public health sectors and motivational coaches to bring a message of HOPE. Girls in communities relate to her because her story is similar to theirs. She is now a positive role model in communities that have lost all hope as young girls succumb to teen age pregnancies and drug and substance abuse.

Nyasha's message is of hope and above all she calls on girls from humble backgrounds such as hers to shine through the darkness and shine through the hardships and never to allow anybody to dim your light. Nyasha is one example of the ripple effect Talia Women's Network is creating in communities. Through touching one life, we are able to transform lives, transform families and transform communities.