Proportional representation Member of Parliament for Mashonaland West Mutsa Murombedzi has welcomed the government’s allocation of $80 million in the 2025 national budget to provide sanitary wear for schoolgirls but described the amount as insufficient to address the scale of the issue.
Speaking on the sidelines of the #BudgetZW2025 review, Hon. Murombedzi emphasized the positive intent behind the allocation but questioned its effectiveness in reaching all girls in need.
“The intention is good; the minister has recognized the importance of this issue and allocated resources,” she said. “However, $80 million is simply not enough to cover every schoolgirl in Zimbabwe. We expected much more.”
She urged authorities to ensure that the funds are channeled effectively so that the sanitary pads reach marginalized communities and vulnerable girls who are most affected.
“We must ensure the pads reach the young girls in our communities, especially those in marginalized areas, to prevent them from missing school and falling into a cycle of poverty,” Hon. Murombedzi added.
While acknowledging that the allocation represents a starting point, she reiterated that the funding remains inadequate. “It’s paltry from what I see, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Now, we need to ensure the money reaches the well-deserving girls who need these sanitary pads,” she concluded.
The provision of sanitary wear for schoolgirls has been a contentious issue in Zimbabwe, with advocates consistently calling for increased funding to address the challenges faced by young women in accessing menstrual products.
