FAWE Eswatini celebrates World Menstrual Health Day through give-back activities – Forum for African Women Educationalists: FAWE

On this year’s World Menstrual Health Day held on 28^th May 2021, FAWE Eswatini (FAWEESWA) marked the day through handing out of dignity and hygiene packs in schools across the country. Sponsored by a metal recycling company based in Sidwashini Mbabane, FAWEESWA distributed sanitary towels, face clothes, toothpaste, underarm deodorant, and tooth brushes to about 1,500 pupils.

The pupils were drawn from five selected schools which have previously worked with FAWEESWA in various projects. The schools, located in hard to reach and poor rural areas are as follows: Manyovu Primary School in the Lubombo Region, Emnotfweni School in Manzini, Nkwene Primary School, Ka Mbhoke High School in the Shiselweni Region and Nkiliji primary Schools in Manzini Region.

In the past, on menstruation day, FAWEESWA was accustomed to organizing meetings for girls to have different activities such as games and quizzes on different issues affecting them as they grow. This time around, FAWEESWA sought donation of the dignity packs as a result of previous discussions with school going children. The team came to a realization that both girls and boys desperately needed support for their everyday hygiene.

“In addition to giving out the dignity packs in each school that we visited, we spoke about menstruation and maturation to both boys and girls. We had 2 teams going to different schools. It was such a joy to see those young faces brightening up with joy on receiving the dignity packs.” Said Ms. Khetsiwe Dlamini, National Chapter Coordinator, FAWEESWA.

The FAWEESWA team packed the items into small packages which consisted of toothpaste, toothbrushes, face clothes, underarm deodorant and sanitary towels for the girls.