Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc on Saturday has launched the K100 million Rise for Girls Programme with a donation of sanitary materials to four secondary schools in Chikwawa District to empower girls to counter menstrual challenges.
Speaking during the launch at Ngabu Secondary School today, Illovo Nchalo Sugar Estate general manager Ricky Pillay, who is also the ambassador for the programme, said the initiative shows the firm’s commitment to improving education by ensuring that girls do not abscond classes during their menses.
He said: “In many communities, menstrual challenges and the lack of menstrual health education hinder the potential of girls, especially those in secondary school.
“Therefore, the Rise for Girls Programne was born out of a collaborative effort to address these pressing issues and empower girls through support and education.”
Ngabu Secondary School head teacher Nixon Kaitano thanked the Malawi Stock Exchange-listed firm for the timely initiative, saying it will help to improve girls’ performance as it will reduce absenteeism.
The school’s head girl Esther Erick said the initiative will help to improve girls’ performance in education.
Apart from Ngabu Secondary School, the initiative will also be implemented at Nchalo, Jombo and Dzumila community day secondary schools.
During the launch of the programme, which will benefit four secondary schools, Illovo Malawi donated 1,000 care packages each containing sanitary pads, soap, underwear and a 10-litre plastic bucket.
The programme will focus on improving water, hygiene and sanitation facilities, menstrual hygiene management training, education programmes and product distribution
Rise for Girls Programme seeks to address the challenges girls face to access education due to menstrual challenges because of lack of necessary facilities.
