The Ministry of Education has received a donation of sanitary pads and school books from Sanlam Life Insurance, aimed at reducing absenteeism among girls and supporting learners who lack adequate learning materials.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Minister of Education, Douglas Syakalima, says the donation will complement government’s efforts to keep girls in school, noting that menstrual hygiene should no longer be a barrier to education.
The media reports that Mr Syakalima reiterated that government is already supplying sanitary pads to schools and investing in improved female sanitation facilities, including toilets with showers, to ensure girls remain in class throughout the month.
“A girl child would miss at least seven days of school every month due to lack of sanitary pads, but interventions have been made,” he said.
He further highlighted that following the introduction of free education, school enrolment has risen to over 2.3 million learners nationwide, creating a greater need to keep every child in the classroom.
He added that investing in education is key to national development, stressing that returns on investment will be reflected through the innovations that learners produce.
Mr Syakalima thanked Sanlam Life Insurance for the gesture and urged other stakeholders to partner with the government, saying the sanitary pad distribution programme is ongoing and requires collective support.
Sanlam Life Insurance Chief Executive Officer, Mainga Kwenda, said the donation will be distributed to Senanga District, where assessments revealed a high number of vulnerable girls in need of menstrual hygiene support.
“Menstrual hygiene and lack of stationary should not keep a girl child or boy child from school, it’s important to ensure such needs are catered for,” he said.
Mr Kwenda has since reaffirmed Sanlam’s commitment to supporting the initiative, stating that ensuring girls do not miss school due to lack of sanitary pads and school books aligns with the institution’s corporate social responsibility priorities.
