UMGUZA, Jun. 3 (NewsDay Live) — The National Aids Council (NAC) has launched a reusable sanitary pads training programme targeting adolescent girls in Umguza District to improve menstrual health management and equip young women with income-generating skills.
Speaking on behalf of the Umguza NAC district coordinator, Umguza district focal person Thembeni Sithole said the initiative was being supported by the Global Fund, which provided sewing machines and materials for the project.
Sithole said 16 Sista2Sista mentors from the district’s 16 wards had each received three sewing machines and materials to facilitate training.
“Each mentor got three machines from the Global Fund and materials for making reusable pads. We have planned a programme to train girls in sewing and making their own reusable sanitary pads,” Sithole said.
The programme will initially target two clubs comprising 25 girls each.
“That means 50 girls will be trained, but we have also invited other girls from the community because the materials are sufficient for additional participants,” she said.
Sithole said the project would be open to girls outside the clubs to ensure broader community participation and impact.
NAC Bulawayo provincial manager Sinatra Nyathi welcomed the initiative, saying it would help girls acquire practical skills while creating opportunities for self-employment.
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“They can make reusable pads for themselves and also sell them within their communities if there is demand. It can become an income-generating project for them,” Nyathi said.
She commended organisers for extending the programme beyond the selected clubs.
“I am also glad that other girls who are not in the clubs will be invited because it means the wider community is going to benefit,” she said.
Nyathi said NAC was looking forward to seeing the programme rolled out across the district.
Umguza has 16 Sista2Sista mentors operating across its 16 wards, with all expected to play a role in implementing the reusable pads initiative.
