TWO Cabinet ministers were taken to task in Parliament last week for failing to distribute sanitary wear to schools to ensure uninterrupted learning for the girl child especially from poor backgrounds.
Higher and Tertiary Education minister Amon Murwira and his Primary and Secondary Education ministry counterpart Torerai Moyo were quizzed on the availability of sanitary wear at schools.
Mashonaland West proportional representative lawmaker Mutsa Murombedzi asked the ministers to explain government policy to ensure consistent supply of sanitary products especially in rural areas.
Moyo said there is a budget towards the procurement of sanitary wear.
‘‘We have a department which deals with the welfare issues of students, especially the girl child. The challenge which we used to have was the issue of procurement which was centralised.
‘‘We have since decentralised the procurement of sanitary wear and terms of procurement of food stuffs for the school feeding programme.
‘‘The rural schools are not left behind. In fact, we prioritise rural areas and that is where the most marginalised girls are located. That is the policy which we have in place.”
Hatcliffe proportional representative legislator Juliana Makuvire also pressed Murwira on the provision of free sanitary pads in all schools.
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‘‘When it comes to our ministry, we have never come across such a huge problem but if there is a challenge, we have a student affairs department,” Murwira responded.
“ Students who have different challenges, including sanitary pads, go to that department and they get help there.”
Makuvire, however, said there is no evidence of distribution of sanitary pads to schools.
A cornered Murwira requested questions in writing so that he can investigate the matter.
Senator Thokozani Khupe (pictured) said there was once a proposal that every school must have a girls’ room where sanitary wear is stored.
‘‘Has the government implemented that because it is not a difficult thing to do?’’ Khupe asked.
Moyo said government policy mandates authorities to ensure all schools receive sanitary wear.
