By Deogratius Koyanga
Access to safe menstrual hygiene services has brought significant positive changes for schoolgirls, restoring their confidence and enabling them to fully participate in their education.
The Tanzanian government’s 2016 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Guidelines outline clear directives for stakeholders to ensure the construction of menstrual hygiene-friendly infrastructure in schools, aiming to create a conducive learning environment for girls. Under these guidelines, each local government authority is required to allocate an annual budget to address challenges related to inadequate WASH services, ultimately enhancing education outcomes.
Through various speeches, the government has consistently emphasized the importance of budgeting for menstrual hygiene services. President Samia Suluhu Hassan once stated, “We must ensure that no girl misses school because of menstruation. The government will continue prioritizing education and health budgets to improve conditions for schoolgirls.” Similarly, former Minister of Health Ummy Mwalimu stressed that the national budget ensures schools receive funds to improve health and sanitation infrastructure.
In line with these efforts, the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP), in collaboration with ONGAWA and the Muheza District Council, implemented a WASH project in 2022 at both household and school levels, with a strong focus on safe menstruation to ensure girls can attend school without disruptions. Although the project has concluded, recent follow-ups reveal its ongoing impact, benefiting both students and the wider community.
A 2009 government study on SWASH (School WASH) conditions found that school water and sanitation facilities were in poor condition. Only 11% of surveyed schools met the policy standards for toilet-to-student ratios. Over 20% of schools had more than 100 students per toilet, and 6% had no toilets at all. This lack of facilities significantly affected school attendance, especially for girls during menstruation, as they faced a shortage of menstrual products and lacked privacy.
At Zirai Secondary School in Muheza, girls have greatly benefited from the construction of a private menstrual hygiene room, the provision of free sanitary pads, clean water in toilets, and guidance from female teachers. Students now attend school without fear, unlike before when many would miss classes due to menstruation.
According to Mohamed Mmole, Zirai Ward Education Officer, these improvements were made possible by the school’s decision to prioritize menstrual hygiene. Recognizing the challenge of purchasing sanitary pads, the school has allocated part of its capitation grant to ensure these essential supplies remain available.
Mr. Mmole further explains that the school has taken proactive measures by continuously providing menstrual pads and pain relief medication for girls. He emphasizes that the full implementation of the 2016 government guidelines could yield even greater success if all stakeholders work together.
Rehema Matuga, a female teacher and mentor at Zirai, highlights that the improved school environment has significantly increased girls’ attendance. She notes that in the past, menstrual health was overlooked, leading to girls missing school out of fear and embarrassment. Today, the situation has changed, and Zirai Secondary School is now a model institution for menstrual hygiene management.
Laya Christopher, a Form Four student, shares that since menstrual hygiene services were improved, girls feel more confident attending school. She adds that the availability of sanitary pads has eliminated the anxiety and discomfort they once faced, allowing them to focus on their studies.
Similarly, Amina Ayubu, a Form One student, notes a significant difference compared to her experience in primary school, where menstrual hygiene was not prioritized. She now feels safe and supported, thanks to menstrual education and the provision of sanitary products at school.
Leonia Andrew, former ONGAWA Program Officer, states that their primary goal was to create a supportive learning environment for girls so they could complete their secondary education without menstrual-related obstacles. She urges trained government officials to prioritize menstrual hygiene in development budgets.
Florence Mosha, Acting Executive Officer of Zirai Ward, emphasizes that every village should take concrete action to implement plans that enhance menstrual hygiene services in schools.
Zirai Secondary School, which has over 150 female students, currently consumes 10 boxes of sanitary pads per month. These pads are supplied through contributions from various stakeholders, school capitation funds, and the Zirai Information and Knowledge Center, which collaborates with development partners.
During gender-responsive budgeting training conducted by TGNP and ONGAWA, leaders from Kwalumbizi, Zirai, and Kizerui villages agreed to prioritize the construction of menstrual hygiene rooms in primary schools and allocate funds for sanitary pad procurement. They also emphasized the importance of installing incinerators to safely dispose of used sanitary products, ensuring proper sanitation.
“Before, we were forced to miss school because we had no choice. Now, we feel safe, and we can attend classes just like everyone else,” says Laya Christopher, expressing the relief and confidence brought by these initiatives.
The success of these initiatives in Muheza demonstrates that ensuring access to menstrual hygiene services can significantly improve schoolgirls’ attendance and participation. By fostering collaboration between government agencies, development partners, educators, and local communities, Tanzania can continue to ensure that no girl’s education is hindered by menstruation-related challenges.
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