Girls in Chitipa are winning back classroom time thanks to a bold initiative by head teacher Chimwemwe Sibale, who is producing and distributing reusable sanitary pads across the district.
Since 2022, Sibale’s project has reached all 28 public secondary schools, with more than 3,120 pads handed out to over 1,000 girls. Each girl receives three pads, helping to cut down on menstrual-related absenteeism.
To ensure the initiative was sustainable, Sibale, Head teacher at Yamba Day Secondary School, acquired two sewing machines and an overlocker.
She also hired four temporary employees to produce the pads locally. Each beneficiary receives three pads, and more than 1,000 girls have benefited since the project began in 2022.
As the initiative took root, early results began to show in classrooms.
“Absenteeism among girls has decreased due to the availability of the pads,” said Obbings Mwaungulu, head teacher at Nthalire Community Day Secondary School, where 30 learners have been benefiting from the initiative since last year.
Meanwhile, across the district, other school leaders reported similar progress.
At Ngoya Community Day Secondary School in Chitipa North Constituency, head teacher Pima Madumuska Msiska echoed the sentiments, noting that when the initiative started last academic year, 30 girls at his school received three pads each. He said absenteeism has since declined.
“I can commend her efforts, and I believe this will be a long-term initiative,” Msiska said, adding that girls’ attendance at his school has improved.
For the students, the change has been life changing. Eighteen-year-old Glory Kalua, a Form 2 student at Ngoya CDSS, explained that before the project, she used pieces of cloth and regularly missed classes.
“I would miss classes four days every month,” she said.
Now, with consistent access to pads, Kalua is hopeful about the future. “I would like to thank Madam Sibale for the initiative. May God bless her,” she said.
Recognizing the impact, community leaders have also joined the push for wider adoption.
Chitipa Area Development Committee chairperson James Zimba said the initiative has helped reduce absenteeism caused by period-related challenges across all 28 schools.
He challenged other head teachers to learn from Sibale’s example.
“Mother groups and school administrations can plan together, if resources allow, to complement what Madam Chimwemwe Sibale is doing,” Zimba said.
Importantly, the project began as a response to a clear need. Sibale started supporting girls’ menstrual hygiene in 2022 while head teacher at Choma CDSS, providing reusable pads.
After transferring to Yamba CDSS in 2023, she expanded the idea from assistance to local production, turning it into a sustainable solution for the district.] use malawi24 guide but maintain quotes.
