Chisambo Primary School in the Maveya zone of Mulanje district faced numerous challenges before the introduction of a much-needed changing room. Students, particularly girls like Mary Maluwasa, struggled with managing personal hygiene during menstruation due to the lack of a designated space. Without a changing room, students were susceptible to harassment, teasing, and accidents while changing in open spaces or shared classrooms, which disrupted the learning environment and hindered active participation in physical education classes.
Before the intervention by the Creative Centre for Community Mobilization (CRECCOM), the conditions at Chisambo Primary School were far from ideal. The absence of a changing room forced students to change clothes in open spaces or shared classrooms, making them vulnerable to harassment and teasing. This lack of privacy significantly affected girls, who faced additional challenges in managing their menstrual hygiene. Mary Maluwasa, a student, explained, "We felt embarrassed and anxious during physical education classes because we had nowhere to change in private."
The lack of a secure and private space not only impacted students' confidence but also led to frequent absenteeism among girls, particularly during their menstrual periods. The deputy head teacher, Annet Munyowa, noted, "Many girls would miss school during their periods because they didn't have a safe place to manage their hygiene. This greatly affected their academic performance and participation in school activities."
In response to these pressing issues, CRECCOM, through the Girls Get Equal Project funded by Norad and implemented by Plan International Malawi, provided training on establishing a safe school committee in 2023. Their collective efforts resulted in the successful construction of a dedicated changing room at Chisambo Primary School, leading to remarkable improvements.
Judith Maliko, a standard 6 student, expressed her appreciation: "The changing room has been a game-changer for me and my fellow female students. Now, we don't have to worry about changing in front of others, and it's much easier to manage our hygiene during our periods."
The introduction of the changing room provided a private and safe space for students, ensuring their dignity and right to privacy. Annet Munyowa observed the significant change, stating, "The changing room has revolutionized our school environment, fostering a sense of dignity and empowerment among our students."
Munyowa also highlighted the broader impact of this intervention: "Female students are now coming to school regardless of their menstrual cycle and are attending classes regularly, which has reduced absenteeism."
To further support the girls, the school has been providing essential hygiene products. "We provide soaps and sanitary pads to the girls using the School Improvement Grants we receive from the government," Munyowa explained. Additionally, Eastern Produce Tea Estate, the school's benefactor due to its proximity, has been instrumental in supplying these necessities. "We submit a quotation of the sanitary pads and soap to Eastern Produce Tea Estate every month, and they provide items worth approximately MK100,000," Munyowa said.
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