Blessing Nduku
Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Gweru branch hosted this year’s Menstrual Hygiene Day as well as Africa Day commemorations at their center in Gweru Mkoba recently.
The event took place under the theme Together for a #periodfrendlyworld. Zimbabwe Women’s Bureau (ZWB), Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ), JHWO, and Women Councilors under proportional representation attended the commemorations.
Speaking during the event YWCA National Vice President Jane Mnyamani encouraged women to take up leadership positions to empower them with life changing skills.
“As an organization, our main motto is to motivate women to be self-reliant as well as to empower women through the vocational training we have here for instance dressmaking and catering. We also ensure that we address issues that have to do with sexual and reproductive health.”
“I encourage women who are here as well as around the world to take up posts, I remember when we were youths, we were taught to be vigilant in everything we do and the Deputy Mayor Councilor Nyaradzo Madzikura can testify to that with me I think it is one of the reasons why she is where she is now.”
There were many activities like modeling from the YWCA women, traditional acting, and traditional dance from Bumburwi Primary School.
The Deputy Mayor Councilor Nyaradzo Madzikura encouraged women to be financially independent and not rely on their spouse’s finances but rather be relied on by their spouses.
“Firstly, I want to thank all of us who made it here today and I would like to encourage us all to work with our own hands. As women we should be financially independent, do you know our spouses can talk about us out there imagine him telling others that I rely with my wife on certain things, find something to sell that will give you few Zigs that will cover something.”
Mnyamani went on to remember the late Mary Rushwaya for all the work she has done with the YWCA centers and expressed some of the few challenges they are facing as an organization.
“As with many other organizations, we face a lot of challenges for instance our vocational training centers do not have enough equipment and we might need renovations here and there, before I sit down, I just want to salute one of us who has done a great thing Gogo Mary Rushwaya.”
“I have always cherished her for all the great work she has done here I am one of the women she has motivated to work hard and with my hands.”
Menstrual Hygiene Day was initiated by the German non-profit WASH United in 2013. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) United is the global coordinator of MH Day and acts as its international secretariat. To break taboos surrounding menstruation, raise awareness of the importance of good menstrual hygiene management worldwide.
WASH United leads the MH Day partner network with over 1000 organizations. It sets the strategy and direction for MH Day. The non-profit organization also creates and shares campaign content.
Moreover, it communicates through MH Day channels and represents MH Day at events. WASH United manages strategic partnerships, including with the media and fundraising. It also handles monitoring and reporting. MH Day activities in each country are coordinated by local MH Day partners.