Dreamz Project uplifts Chipinge community to fight period poverty through netball
By Staff Reporter/Agencies
FOR Loveness Chenjerai sewing is a profession that she has always dreamt of ever since she was young.
Aged 29, Chenjerai is one of the women who were assisted by Dreamz project to attain a sewing certificate, a qualification that has become her ticket out of poverty.
On top of the certificate, she also received a sewing machine as part of women’s economic empowerment.
“I started sewing when l was at school, then l was lucky enough to be part of the few women who were selected through the Dreamz project to attend a sewing course,” said Chenjerai.
As a way of giving back to the community, Chenjerai is part of the few women, who have volunteered to work with Koshesa Mwanasikana in their bid to fight period poverty in Chipinge community where most young girls struggle for menstrual hygienic tools.
“Growing up l encountered a number of challenges as a girl when l first experienced menstruation.
“I remember l didn’t have sanitary pads to use and would end up using tree leaves or maize cobs,” Chenjerai revealed part of the reason why she volunteered to work with Koshesa Mwanasikana.
Just like in Chenjerai’s case, statistics have revealed that the majority of young girls in Zimbabwe’s rural communities use cow dung and rugs during their menstruation since they can not afford sanitary pads.
A report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that 60% of girls and women living in rural communities are affected by period poverty whilst UNESCO states that in Zimbabwe, one in 10 girls miss school during their period due to lack of sanitary products.
Not only do these girls miss school but also sport and socialising, although it might not mean much to miss out on these things once or twice a month. The sad thing is the long term om girls mental and physical health is severe.
As a way to combat the challenge, Koshesa Mwanasikana has put it upon its shoulders to donate all required materials for the sewing of reusable sanitary pads.
Aimed to target primary and secondary school girls around Checheche -Chipinge, the organisation will on March 8, 2025, host a netball tournament to drive their campaign focusing on combating period poverty.
“We are supplying the volunteers with materials to sew re-usable pads which we will donate to young girls and women in marginalised communities around Checheche and Chipinge.
“On the day, we will host a netball tournament using sport as a tool to drive our message and also creating a platform to have these girls in one place,” explained Tariro Mutsengi ,a project coordinator for Koshesa Mwanasikana fight period poverty campaign manager.
A study conducted in Malawi in 2024 revealed that the majority of female sport players struggle with period poverty.
Zimbabwe is no exception as the same plight is even affecting netball players progress especially those who play for teams in marginalised areas.
“A number of players usually miss games during the time of their cycle and usually some find it hard to participate but as a club we always try to make efforts to make sure we provide these pads for players,” said Green Fuel netball team chairperson, Kuzivakwashe Mtazu.
Other than just mitigating the period poverty challenge, the re-usable sanitary pads being sewn by Chenjerai and friends are flexible and can enable one to engage in any activity, which is an advantage to young girls in sport.
Re-usable sanitary pads have become an escape plan for young girls in rural communities since they cannot afford sanitary pads which, on average, a pack costs more than a dollar.
