Empowering Girls at Masongola Secondary School: Breaking Barriers Through Menstrual Health and Hygiene

Access to education is a fundamental right, yet for many girls in Malawi, their periods remain a significant hurdle to staying in school. Of the 840 students aged between 13 and 24 at Masongola Secondary School, 489 are young girls whose access to education is restricted by their ability to manage their menstrual health.

Situated in the rural heart of Malawi’s Southern Region of Zomba, girls may have to travel some distance to reach this secondary school or some may be able to board. The students have to pass the Primary School Leaving Certificate in order to be selected for a place at secondary school. It is a privilege to be selected and one that the girls will not wish to waste. The challenges they face are multifaceted and difficult; they struggle not only for an education but for basic dignity.

Living in a community where many people survive on less than $0.50 a day, the cost of commercial sanitary pads is a luxury few can afford. This financial strain creates a devastating ripple effect on their education. An average of 32 girls miss classes every week during their cycles. Last year alone, 14 girls dropped out entirely, unable to continue their education without adequate menstrual hygiene management (MHM). It is little wonder these girls left school, weary of missing lessons and falling behind their peers.

Moreover, even those who can afford the school's boarding facilities face a lack of consistent access to MHM and education on this personal and important issue. The school has no dedicated washing or changing room facilities, with the matron's house currently being used as a substitute.

During a visit to the Headteacher by our Partner MASSAA, in October 2024, it was revealed that 12 girls experienced their first-ever period at school without any prior education on puberty or hygiene. This is a deeply personal milestone that occurred in a school environment without the facilities for proper management. Without intervention, these girls face not only academic setbacks but also a higher risk of early marriage and unintended pregnancy.

Working alongside the Masongola Secondary School Alumni Association, this project can help make a difference to the 489 girls who attend the school, ensuring a sustainable and community-based solution to help them get the education they deserve. Masongola Secondary School Alumni Association, was formed in 2010 with specific objectives of promoting education and health services for a girl child who is doing secondary school education.

By providing 2 sewing machines to 10 women from the Parents’ Teachers Association, alongside a six-month training course, the local community will be able to provide much-needed MHM products, such as reusable pads and school uniforms. Once trained, these women will also become facilitators, teaching students how to produce their own uniforms and high-quality sanitary pads.

Alongside the tailoring, the project will establish girl-led clubs and mentorship sessions focusing on sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and menstrual health, supported by local health facilities. The girl students will be well informed and benefit from a supportive environment to manage their menstrual health needs. It is hoped that sustainable changes  will be developed within the community and the school.

Within 12 months, the project aims to:

• Reduce school dropouts and child marriages by over 70%.

• Significantly reduce class absenteeism due to menstruation.

• Ensure 80% of girls have consistent access to MHM services.

• Significantly decrease unintended pregnancies through improved SRHR information.

Looking  towards the future, the goal remains clear: ensuring that no girl at Masongola Secondary School has to choose between her education and her health. By breaking the silence and taboos surrounding menstruation, Think Malawi and our Supporters, MASSAA and the school not only ensure that these girls have a better education, but that future generations do also.

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