By Staff Reporter
LOCAL NGO, Sanitary Aid Zimbabwe Trust (SAZT) has hailed the Government of Botswana for availing free sanitary wear to all female students.
The Botswana government has proposed to provide free sanitary pads to female students in public and private schools in its 2025 National Budget in a bid to help end period poverty and ensure that girls have access to essential needs.
The program which is being overseen by the Child Welfare and Basic Education Ministry will ensure that dignity and essential needs are upheld across different segments of the population.
In a statement to salute the neighboring government, SAZT said the gesture sets a good example on how governments can end period poverty.
“We applaud the government of Botswana for its proposal to provide free sanitary pads to female students in its 2025 National Budget, to “ensure that dignity and essential needs are upheld across different segments of our population.”
“The Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education has been allocated the second largest share amounting to P11.68 billion (US$847 million), and it includes an allocation for sanitary wear,” the Zimbabwe based CSO said.
This is the first time that the Botswana government has allocated funds for school girls sanitary wear.
In 2023, Botswana included sanitary products on the lists of items that are zero rated or exempted for VAT purposes.
Sanitary poverty, or period poverty, is a global health issue that affects women and girls in Africa. It’s defined as a lack of access to menstrual products, hygiene facilities, and waste management.
In Zimbabwe, 72% of women and girls can’t afford menstrual products with data showing that in Sub-Saharan Africa, 1 in 10 girls miss school during their period.
Across Africa, the cost of pads has increased due to inflation increasing the chances of poor menstrual hygiene which can lead to infections, infertility, and birth complications.
Not having access to hand-washing facilities can lead to the spread of infections, like Hepatitis B and thrush.
