Stitching Dignity, Growing Confidence: How Fellows Are Tackling Period Poverty in Rural Zimbabwe

Across Zimbabwe’s rural schools, two remarkable young women are quietly leading a revolution — one stitch, one conversation, one act of courage at a time.

Nyakabau Primary: Where Pads Become Pathways to Dignity

As a proud 5th Cohort Fellow with Teach For Zimbabwe, Taberth Jasi is transforming challenges into opportunities through her Girls’ Pad-Making Club at Nyakabau Primary School. With 15 determined Grade 7 learners at its heart, the club was born out of a desire to tackle menstrual hygiene challenges and create a safe, empowering space for education and dignity.

“I’ve seen how a lack of access to sanitary products disrupts a girl’s education and confidence,” Taberth shares. “I wanted to help our girls take control of their health, challenge stigma, and gain a skill that empowers them for life.”

Armed with limited resources but boundless creativity, the girls have successfully designed and produced reusable sanitary pads—a solution that is sustainable, affordable, and eco-friendly. Through sewing and teamwork, they’ve learned to craft both products and confidence.

“Our pad-making club is more than a sewing circle,” Taberth adds. “It’s a movement. A platform where girls learn to speak confidently about their bodies and take pride in their work.”

Each stitch tells a story of courage — a story of young girls crafting a future where dignity and education go hand in hand. Not only are Taberth’s actions remarkable in their own capacity but the fact that she has even gone on to partner with organisations such as CAMFED demonstrates her dedication towards combating period poverty. In early 2025 she received packs of disposable pads from CAMFED to further her mission.

Across the granite hills of Mutoko, another Fellow, Viola Flo-Jo Mutambudzi, is leading a movement of her own at Tsiga Primary School.

A dedicated teacher, Viola founded Comfort4Teens 101 — an initiative that ensures no girl misses school because of her period. Through this project, girls receive kits containing five reusable pads, two pairs of underwear, one pair of tights, and a sanitary bag for discreet storage. These seemingly simple items have become powerful tools of empowerment.

“When our sewing machine broke down, I could have stopped,” Viola recalls. “But I adapted — hand-sewing the pads to ensure no girl missed school. Being a Rural Youth Champion taught me to be creative and resilient.”

But Viola’s vision goes beyond menstruation. She also runs a mental health club for boys, where learners gain confidence and practical skills by learning barbering and grooming. Together, these young changemakers are redefining what community support looks like — helping each other stay dignified, smart, and hopeful.

Viola has also spearheaded the creation of a nutritional garden to sustain the school’s feeding program. Through collaboration with local leaders, she secured running water for the school — a victory that has improved hygiene and reduced absenteeism by 80%. She even produces homemade detergents to keep school toilets clean, ensuring every learner has a sanitary space.

“Now girls can come to school with dignity, even during their periods,” she says.

Because of her passion for capacitating young learners and advocating for their needs, Viola was selected to represent Zimbabwe at the International Quality Education Conference in Dar Es Salaam where she was further selected as a panelist for the event.

According to the Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe Chapter (FAWEZI), 62% of rural girls miss school during their menstrual cycle due to lack of pads, poor sanitation, and stigma. SNV Zimbabwe’s 2021 WASH report revealed that only 30% of menstruating girls have access to proper sanitary products — forcing many to rely on unsafe alternatives like old cloths or tree bark.

Together, their efforts remind us that sustainable change starts with empathy, creativity, and courage. From Nyakabau to Tsiga Primary, these Fellows are rewriting the story of menstrual health and education in Zimbabwe — proving that when girls are empowered, entire communities thrive.