Menstrual hygiene management strategies for improved child development in primary schools in Zimbabwe: the case of Budiriro 4 Council Primary School.

Abstract

The girl child’s access to proper and safe menstrual hygiene is fast becoming a global concern. In spite of the same biological make-up of women, the effects caused due to lack of adequate sanitary wear are not the same across different social divides and the worst effects are felt by citizens in low income country. Evidence showed that most in the vulnerability and human right discourse the girl child is neglected of her rights to safe menstrual practices. Usually, the girl child’s rights to safe menstrual practices are ignored due to increasing societal stigma and marginalization. Against this background, this research explore the Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) strategies for improved child development in Primary Schools in Zimbabwe using Budiriro 4 Council Primary School as a case study. The research utilized qualitative research methods and face to face interviews, key informant interviews (KII) and secondary data sources in collecting data. The research was conducted in line with WHO and the government’s guidelines in curbing the transmission COVID-19 pandemic. The results shows that girl child lacked knowledge on hygienic practices when it comes to the management of menstrual cycles. Most of them are victims of deprivation on MHM. Also coupled with economic challenges, majority are forcing them to adopt non-hygienic means of managing menstrual flow like the use of cloth or towels. Such poor menstrual hygiene management have negative effects on their confidence, welfare and performance in class and public presentation. It was concluded that, for girl child to access proper menstrual management some stakeholders in childcare should therefore refocus their intervention to try and offer appropriate support that are both sustainable and descent.