In a bid to tackle school absenteeism among girls, a youth club under the Dowa District Health Office on Wednesday last week donated 141 reusable sanitary pads to 47 girls at Jemusi Primary School in Traditional Authority (TA) Chiwere, Dowa.
The donation, valued at K634,000, is part of the club’s wider effort to promote menstrual health, hygiene, and education in rural schools.
Speaking during the handover, Eric Dzungu, vice chairperson of the youth-led group, said their focus goes beyond raising awareness on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) by offering practical support to vulnerable learners.
“We have seen that a lack of sanitary pads forces many girls to miss school every month. As a club, we want to provide real solutions, not just information. Helping girls stay in school during menstruation improves their academic confidence and encourages them to aim higher in life,” Dzungu said.
He added that despite operating on limited resources, the group is committed to expanding its reach and called for support from NGOs, development partners and well-wishers.
“We fund these initiatives ourselves, but the demand is overwhelming. We welcome any partnerships to help us reach more schools,” he said.
Alongside the pad distribution, they also held GBV awareness sessions to combat child abuse.
Patricia Banda, a teacher and Malawi Girl Guides Association matron at the school, commended the initiative, describing it as a key step in keeping girls in class.
“These pads will help reduce absenteeism caused by menstruation. Now, our learners can attend classes without fear or discomfort,” she said.
Jessy Kambewa, a Standard 6 pupil and one of the beneficiaries, expressed her gratitude, saying the donation will help her and her peers participate fully in school activities.
“We now feel more confident and ready to take part in lessons. But we still need help to build changing rooms and get access to soap,” she said.
The youth club pledged to continue its menstrual hygiene and girls’ empowerment campaign across other schools in the district.
