MARIAM Mwinyi, the Zanzibar First Lady and Founder and chairperson of the Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF) has urged the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training to come up with a guideline for provision of safe menstruation education in primary and secondary schools.

She made the remarks over the weekend during the event to handover sanitary pads to pupils at Jadida Primary and Secondary School in Wete District, Pemba North Region.

 According to her, it is important to have a special guideline on safe menstruation education in order to widen understanding of the situation promoting personal hygiene, health and dignity.

 She noted that a good number of school girls especially those from poor backgrounds face great challenges to access the sanitary towels, something which affects their attendance in class and performance in examinations.

 The First Lady said the issue of safe menstruation has continued to be a troubling challenge due to lack of essential education to girl children and the society, so it was important for the ministry to implement strategies which will help reverse the situation.

 Minister for Education and Vocational Training in Zanzibar, Leila Mohammed Mussa said the government takes seriously the issue of safe menstruation and has been implementing various efforts to enable girl children to relieve themselves well during menstruation.

 She however said that despite the efforts, many parents and the society in general do not play their role well by educating the children on how to relieve themselves.

 Fatma Fungo, Chief Executive Officer of the Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation said distribution of the sanitary pads to the girl children will help reduce discomfort which the children face during their menstruation periods.

 He said the towels will help female pupils to have a safe period and enable them to fulfill their educational dreams by participating fully in studies even when they are in their menstruation period.

 Apart from various activities which the foundation implements including the war against violence, women empowerment, issues of children and youth development, the Foundation continues with its campaign dubbed: “Mariam Mwinyi Walkathon”.

 The movement aims to make a positive impact by raising awareness on various issues which involve supporting local charities and healthcare initiatives backing efforts of the government to reduce disease burden.