By Ruth Ndolo
A One Million Pads Initiative (OMPAI), reaches out to over 400 young girls with reusable sanitary pads in primary and secondary schools of Mzuzu.
Beaula foundation has trained 400 girls how to use reusable pads in the surrounding areas of Mzuzu, like in Mchengautuwa, area 4, and ma tank.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, Beula Chitsulo, the director of Beula Foundation Limited, said that they introduced the initiative, in 2013 to empower young girls on how to make and use the reusable sanitary pads.
“Our organization’s primary objective is to address the pressing social issues, including poverty alleviation, environmental conservation, music arts, theatre, and education.” Beaula explained.
"The organization's first project, OMPAI, was launched in 2022 with a simple yet ambitious goal: to donate reusable sanitary pads and cups to those who cannot afford them." She added.
Chitsulo also said that their project began with a simple goal, but officially took off in 2024 after acquiring a sewing machine.
The initiative seeks to produce and distribute at least one million pads within a decade, a target that may seem daunting but is certainly achievable with community support.
One of the parents of the young girls who have been trained to use these sanitary pads, Edah Singini of Nambo village, said in an interview that these sanitary pads have helped so much because purchasing pads was not a simple thing for them.
“The lack of finances for us to buy sanitary pads was causing our girls to fail to attend classes during their menstrual periods but the introduction of these pads has made it possible for these girls to be in school from one to thirty”. Singini explained further.
The initiative's impact extends beyond sanitation; it addresses environmental concerns by reducing indiscriminate waste disposal.
The District youth officer, Msokwa Misheck said that this development is good on the environment as there will not be so much improper disposal of sanitary wear promoting hygiene.
Msokwa also said that not only will the pads help most girls to now go to school and help them academically through-out the month, but also help them use these sanitary pads for a while in that way also helping parents who cannot afford to buy.
Menstrual poverty affects millions worldwide, with many struggling to access basic sanitary products. In Malawi, the situation is dire, with an estimated sixty percent of girls missing school due to lack of menstrual materials. OMPAI seeks to bridge this gap, providing dignity and empowerment to girls and women.
The schools that have so far been helped have commended the impact of the initiative as it has proved to be of so much help to the girls because they no longer have to skip classes during their menstrual period because sanitary wear is no longer a big issue and the girls are more comfortable to sit in class without being laughed at or bullied.
Speaking to a teacher from Nkhokwe primary school Taona Msukwa Chirambo, one of the schools which the organization shared pads to one hundred girls, she said that this initiative has helped the students to concentrate more in class since they are comfortable enough in their sanitary wear.
The initiative's multifaceted approach addresses menstrual health education, economic empowerment through job creation, and environmental sustainability.
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