As part of a DREF district-based launch in Quthing, on Tuesday the 28th May 2024 Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) in collaboration with Lesotho Mounted Police Services (LMPS) through Child and Gender Protection Unit (CGPU) and Ministry of Health commemorated menstrual hygiene day at Tele primary School.
Children were sensitised on issues of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and Menstrual Hygiene Management, Sexual and Gender Based Violence and Climate change. 20 girls from Tele Primary school were gifted hygiene packages comprising of bath soap, roll-on, sanitary towels, petroleum jelly, shoe polish, toothpaste and washing powder to help keep clean during their menstrual period.
Mrs. Thinyane from the ministry of health emphasised on the importance of hygiene during menstrual period. She also urged the male students to support the girls and not humiliate them because that lowers their self esteem and some end up skipping school to avoid humiliation.
Inspector Morongoe Makaliana from CGPU advised the children to report sexual exploitation and abuse that affects them and their communities. She stated the importance of reporting so that the survivors can receive appropriate health services, support and justice be served for them.
The Disaster Management officer for LRCS Miss Sbongile Hlubi added that the disposal of used sanitary towels also play a big part in climate change, she urged with the students to dispose the sanitary towels as they were told to minimize the effects of climate change.
This activity was supported by International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC) through Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) and was the continuation of response to the storm surge that occurred in December 2023 in Quthing and Maseru