For years, menstruation meant another missed school day for many girls in rural parts of Machinjiri Township in Blantyre. With nowhere safe or private to manage their periods, many stayed home, falling behind in class and risking dropping out.
The absence of proper menstrual hygiene facilities has quietly robbed many girls of their education. Their only “crime” was responding to nature, forcing them to miss classes month after month and, for some, abandon school altogether.
“We have been watching girls losing confidence every month,” says Padoko Mothers Group Chairlady Patuma Sudana.
She says many girls chose to stay at home during menstruation because schools had nowhere private for them to change or manage their periods.
“It was heartbreaking. They wanted to learn, but they were embarrassed and uncomfortable. Some missed lessons every month, while others eventually stopped coming to school altogether,” she says.
Today, that painful reality is beginning to change.
At Mapazi Primary School, a newly built girls’ changing room is giving learners something many had never experienced before, privacy, dignity and the confidence to stay in class.
The facility is one of two being constructed by Youth Coordinating Agency in Development (YOCADE) at Mapazi and Mpumbe primary schools through a £10,000 grant from the Hiiden Charitable Fund.
YOCADE Project Officer Mavis Chitika says the organization introduced the project after identifying menstrual hygiene as one of the hidden reasons behind absenteeism among girls.
“We have given this facility to Mapazi because we saw they did not have a changing room. Many girls were absent from school whenever they started menstruating. That is why we decided to construct this facility so they can remain in school,” she says.
Chitika says the organization now wants communities to protect the facilities so more girls can benefit.
“Our expectation is that girls should no longer miss classes because of menstruation. We want to see more girls attending school every day and increased enrolment because they now have a safe place to manage their periods,” she says.
The results are already becoming visible.
Mapazi Primary School Headteacher Anne Malunga says attendance among girls has started improving since the changing room became available.
She says girls are now more comfortable remaining at school throughout the day because they finally have a clean and private space to manage their menstrual periods.
The school is optimistic that the improvement will also translate into better academic performance and lower dropout rates among female learners.
At Mpumbe Primary School, where construction is expected to be completed by September, hope is already growing.
Headteacher Henderson Sambani believes the facility will transform the lives of many girls who have silently struggled every month.
He says once completed, the changing room is expected to reduce absenteeism, improve retention and give girls the confidence to focus on learning instead of worrying about where to manage their periods.
