TYDT Empowers Girls with Dignity and Menstrual Health Support during COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world, it amplified existing inequalities, hitting the most vulnerable communities hardest. For many girls and women in Zimbabwe, the crisis worsened an already dire situation – period poverty. With schools closed and families struggling under the weight of economic hardships, the cost of basic necessities, including sanitary products, became increasingly unaffordable. In rural areas like Zaka District, this meant more girls resorted to using old cloth, rags, cotton wool, and even newspapers to manage their periods, risking their health and dignity.

TYDT recognized this as an urgent call to action. Understanding the devastating impact of period poverty on girls’ education, health, and well-being, especially during a global pandemic, we launched an emergency response to support girls and women with sanitary products, ensuring they would not be left behind due to their periods.

Working closely with local community leaders, schools, and the Ministry of Health and Child Care, TYDT distributed reusable sanitary pads and menstrual cups to over500 girls and women in Zaka district during the height of the pandemic. These products were not just a short-term solution, but a long-term, sustainable approach to help girls manage their menstruation with dignity. Reusable pads and menstrual cups, which can last for several years, provided a much-needed alternative to expensive, disposable products, particularly in a time of economic crisis and hyperinflation.

The distribution was coupled with Menstrual Health Management (MHM) education, where TYDT conducted socially distanced training sessions on how to safely use and maintain the products. These sessions were also a platform for breaking taboos around menstruation. TYDT actively involved boys, men, and community leaders to challenge harmful gender norms and end “period shaming.” Many girls had previously endured mocking, isolation, and stigmatization – SNV Zimbabwe’s survey revealed that 54% of menstruating girls had been mocked, and 62% missed school regularly due to a lack of access to sanitary products. TYDT’s intervention aimed to change this narrative.

One of the beneficiaries, Nyasha, a 14-year-old girl from Zaka, shared how receiving a menstrual cup changed her life: “Before, I used to miss a week of school every month. I couldn’t afford pads, and I was too embarrassed to ask for help. The menstrual cup I got from TYDT is reusable, and I don’t have to worry about leaking or being laughed at anymore. I feel more confident now, and I’m excited to go back to school full-time.”

Nyasha’s story is just one of many. Girls no longer had to choose between attending school and managing their periods. In a society where menstruating girls and women were sometimes regarded as unclean, TYDT’s intervention helped restore dignity and reduce gender inequality by ensuring they could participate in daily life without shame or fear.

As part of the initiative, TYDT also advocated for policy changes at the national level. Working with partners, the organization called for the government of Zimbabwe to include menstrual health management in its Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) budgets and plans. TYDT’s efforts to push for a Sanitary Dignity Policy Framework are aimed at ensuring that the bodily integrity and human rights of girls and women are protected, even in times of crisis.

The pandemic may have tested the resilience of girls and women in Zimbabwe, but through TYDT’s support, many were empowered to continue their education and lead healthy, dignified lives. As we work towards a just and inclusive society, we stand by the message that “no girl or woman, including persons living with disabilities, should be held back due to her period.” TYDT’s COVID-19 menstrual health response is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions in addressing period poverty and fostering equality. Together, we continue to challenge the status quo, ensuring that girls and women have the resources and support they need to thrive—during the pandemic and beyond.