No more Menstrual Stigma. Period!

Dear Supporters,

Period. There it is, one of the most natural things in the world, but still one of the most stigmatised topics to discuss in open; in particularly in Zimbabwe. This high stigma, coupled with a patriarchal culture and extreme poverty, one of the last things a family invests in tends to be intimate sanitation wear. To address this issue, a Zimbabwean Youth Group wants to start a social enterprise.

The GVI Trust, since 2019 have been collaborating with a local youth group in the Epworth Community. A community which is facing severe poverty experienced through no access to electricity and water, informal settlement and high levels of unemployment and consequently substance abuse and prostitution. This is a fact which is affecting all of Epworth, thus, it is the youth which are starting to lose hope. As a consequence of the current environment, the youth group comes together on a daily basis to address issues and discuss solutions with each other, the greater community but also key community stakeholders and leaders. With interest in topics to provide opportunity for recreational activities for youth, funds are needed. 

When the youth group first pitched their initiatives to GVI Trust in October, our Head of Project Development asked what contribution the community would do to any potential investment in recreational alternatives, or how they planned on funding the maintenance. The group themselves said that they have the ideas but wanted to prepare the most sustainable option. Rather than simply asking for funds to address the ongoing, and never ending issues, the group wanted to independently earn an income to remain impartial to political activities and invest the areas requested by their fellow youth. To make the impact even greater, their business ideas they had in mind were social in nature to ensure that the product being sold is benefiting the community whilst also being environmentally sensitive. A month later when our staff returned to the community, the group has made a decision after careful consultations and democratic voting. They wanted to start a social enterprise which produce reusable pads and sell it to a heavily reduced price to girls in the community. A product which would increase the attendance rate of girls, improve their mental and physical health and reduced the stigma all whilst also teaching the girls in how to continue to make the pads independently.

In Zimbabwe, menstruation is still highly stigmatised and due to the lack of financial resources, many girls miss school whilst menstruating, reducing their chances of passing in school and eventually enter into the official labour market. To address this issue, a local youth group wants to start a social enterprise to produce reusable pads to a heavily discounted price to sell to young girls in their community. However, to start off such an initiative, the GVI Trust are now supporting the youth group and asking our donors, fundraisers and supporters to contribute in the battle to stop the stigma and provide affordable and environmentally friendly solutions to the families in Zimbabwe. Without your help, our projects would never be able to come as far as they have, and for that, the GVI Trust and the Zimbabwean community is extremely thankful.

With Gratitude,

Zimbabwe Mentrual Stigma