The Graça Machel Trust prides itself in its mission of nurturing caring societies, that value social justice and the protection of the rights of women and children. It is through this mission that the staff at the Trust saw it fit to host Isithunzi, a social impact initiative aimed at raising young girls’ awareness of sexual and reproductive health and rights, while also destigmatising topics around menstrual health.
To observe Women’s month (August) this year, the Trust celebrated with the Isithunzi initiative event and provided menstrual hygiene products to young girls from Legae la Alex, from Bombani shelter in the township of Alexandra. The staff were also very excited to have an open dialogue with the girls which aimed at unpacking facts and myths associated to sexual and reproductive health and rights. It was encouraging and pleasing to see the young girls talk openly and freely about how they have experienced their transition into puberty, the challenges they face as well as what they think needs to change for them to better prepare themselves.
In this day and age most Millennials and Gen-zs are comfortable with talking about most things, yet in some corners of the globe, people still find it taboo to talk about sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly menstrual health. The fear to talk about menstrual health has resulted in many young girls and women developing a sense of shame about a natural biological occurrence.
This was made more evident during the panel discussion held, where some of the young girls expressed fears of talking to their mothers about their menstrual cycles and what to expect during this time. These fears emanate from the fact that in many homes, sexual and reproductive health are rarely discussed. From the panel discussions it became apparent that parents need to prepare themselves to discuss puberty as well as sexual and reproductive health, even though it may be awkward and uncomfortable.
A point of departure for these discussions can be found in having a talk about what is being learnt at school, the school curriculum these days teaches children about sexual and reproductive health as well as the female reproductive system, it may be uncomfortable at first, but it is important to be patient with your child and allow her to adjust to the biological changes happening to her body.
It is also advisable that as parents, we discuss sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly menstrual health before it actually starts, this helps with addressing any anxiety and makes the discussion less tense once the menstrual cycle starts. This is particularly why, the Isithunzi initiative chose adolescent girls from Bombani Shelter who are at the early stages of puberty and menstruation, this age-group gives an opportune window for teaching adolescent boys and girls about the biological changes they are experiencing, contraception as well as other parts of sexual and reproductive health.
The initiative reiterated the importance of ensuring that adolescent girls are able to manage their menstrual cycle in a dignified, healthy way that does not compromise on their ability to live life as normally as possible. As such, the Isithunzi initiative will continue to be harnessed to reduce the negative attitudes towards menstrual health, adolescent pregnancy, child marriage and reduce the rate of out of school girls due to menstrual cycles.
The Trust supports and mobilises civil society networks on issues of ending child marriage, ending violence against children, ending female genital mutilation and promoting children’s rights, to carry out advocacy and action across Africa. Special focus is placed on Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia where child marriage continues to be a problem largely driven by poverty, gender inequality, harmful traditional practices, conflict, low levels of literacy, limited opportunities for girls and weak or non-existent protective and preventive legal frameworks.
Education is a fundamental right for all children, which is also a vehicle for social, economic and political transformation in communities, countries and the African continent at large. Recent studies indicate a lack of progress in some of the critical commitments aimed at improving education quality, access, retention and achievement, particularly for girls. In most African countries, girls may face barriers to learning, especially when they reach post-primary levels of education. By implementing multi-dimensional approaches to education which includes core education, personal development, life skills and economic competencies, the Trust partners with funding partners, governments, civil societies and the private sector to improve education access.
The Nutrition and Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health and Nutrition, (RMNCAH+N) of the Children’s Rights and Development Programme aims at promoting the Global Strategy for women, children and adolescents’ health within the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda. The strategy emphasises on the importance of effective country leadership as a common factor across countries making progress in improving the health of women, children and adolescents.
Through its Early Childhood Development (ECD) plan, The Trust will seek to put into action the new science and evidence Report that was presented by Lancet Series on Good and early development – the right of every child. This will be achieved by mobilising like-minded partners to contribute in the new science and evidence to reach all young children with ECD. The Trust’s goal is to be a catalyst for doing things differently, in particular, to rid fragmentation and lack of coordination across ECD sectors. In response to evidence showing the importance of political will in turning the tide against the current poor access and quality of ECD. Even before conception, starting with a mother’s health and social economic conditions, the early years of a child’s life form a fundamental foundation that determines whether a child will survive and thrive optimally.