Members of Parliament (MPs) have called on government to allocate adequate funds to the National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA) to provide sanitary products and menstrual health education to underprivileged girls.
The motion, published in the Notice Paper issued on Monday, is expected to be moved by Mtfongwaneni MP Nathi Hlophe and seconded by Lubombo Regional MP Futhi Ngcamphalala during an upcoming House of Assembly sitting.
Before being debated, the motion must first appear in the Order Paper.
Supporting Girls in Need
According to the MPs, the motion aims to tackle the challenges faced by many young girls, especially in rural and low-income communities, who are often forced to miss school or experience health complications due to lack of access to sanitary products.
The legislators stressed that menstrual health is not only a matter of health, but also one of dignity, confidence, and equal opportunity.
“No girl child should be left behind because of a natural biological process. We have a responsibility as a nation to ensure that menstruation does not become a barrier to education,” the motion reads.
Menstrual Health as a Public Issue
The motion further highlights that menstrual health is a vital component of public health, gender equality, and human development. It calls for NERCHA to lead the implementation of a national sanitary health support programme targeting underprivileged girls in schools and communities.
The proposed programme would involve collaboration between:
– The Ministry of Education and Training
– The Ministry of Health
– Local NGOs and community organisations
It would also include nationwide education campaigns on menstrual hygiene and awareness, while integrating menstrual health into existing adolescent and HIV prevention programmes.
Accountability and Reporting
The MPs are expected to direct Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini to report back to Parliament within six months of the programme’s implementation, detailing its progress and impact.
If adopted, the motion is anticipated to bring long-term social and educational benefits, including reduced absenteeism among schoolgirls, improved health outcomes, and the advancement of gender equality across Eswatini.
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