STANBIC Bank has launched its annual nationwide donation of reusable sanitary pads and undergarments to girls in remote schools, beginning with the distribution of 370 packs to pupils at Murembe High School and Chivese Primary School in Bindura.
The leading financial services institution, in partnership with Talia Women’s Network, plans to provide 1 500 girls across Zimbabwe with reusable sanitary pad packs and undergarments at a cost of US$15 000.
Stanbic Bank marketing specialist, client segments, Tendai Rafemoyo, said the Standard Bank Group subsidiary was committed to empowering underserved girls in rural communities by providing sanitary products, enabling them to focus on their education without missing school because of a lack of sanitary wear.
Rafemoyo said the donation formed part of the bank’s carefully designed Corporate Social Investment (CSI) programme, which prioritises the welfare of the girl child under its health and education pillars.
She said Stanbic Bank’s CSI initiatives focus on education, health and sanitation, the environment, and sport.
“Stanbic Bank is fully aware that some girls resort to unorthodox and often harmful methods as substitutes for sanitary ware while others end up not even going to school for lack of these pads,” Rafemoyo said.
“This longstanding gesture from Stanbic Bank guarantees these girls uninterrupted education for at least two years.”
She also praised the bank’s partnership with Talia Women’s Network, saying the initiative goes beyond providing reusable pads by also equipping girls with essential hygiene education.
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Talia Women’s Network is a registered non-profit organisation that seeks to build communities where girls and young women lead confident, morally astute, healthy and economically empowered lives.
The organisation’s founder, Saliwe Zakaria, said one of its key pillars is menstrual health and hygiene, through which it works to ensure that no girl misses school because of her period.
“This important work is made possible through our valued partnership with Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe, which has supported our menstrual health and hygiene pillar since 2019,” Zakaria said.
“Over the years, the partnership has enabled us to reach thousands of vulnerable girls with essential menstrual hygiene products and education. We are delighted to continually reaffirm our shared commitment to ending period poverty and ensuring that every girl has an opportunity to learn, grow and pursue her dreams without interruption.”
Zakaria also delivered hygiene and reproductive health lessons to girls from both schools.
Murembe High School deputy head Amos Zembere expressed gratitude for what he described as the life-changing support provided by Stanbic Bank and Talia Women’s Network.
He commended Stanbic Bank for its continued commitment to improving the welfare of the girl child.
“We say a big thank you to Talia Women’s Network for the invaluable reproductive health and hygiene lessons and to Stanbic Bank for the donation of reusable pads,” Zembere said.
“The lessons were of great benefit even to the teachers while the donation is a confidence booster for the girls as they are now guaranteed to always attend lessons.”
Last year, Stanbic Bank donated sanitary wear and undergarments in two phases, benefiting girls from schools in Buhera, Murewa, Chipinge, Mashonaland West, Matabeleland and Masvingo.
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