Menstruation, tampons and pads; Hon. Misihairambwi- Mushonga is right NewsDay Zimbabwe MP brings panty pads, tampons to Parly Video: MP brings panty pads, tampons to Parly MEMBERS of Parliament yesterday revealed some of their most intimate secrets during debate on a motion calling for scrapping of duty on sanitary wear when some of them divulged that they used tree bark as an alternative during the liberation struggle. The motion was introduced by MDC Proportional Representation MP Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga. It turned emotional as Mushonga told the whole House that she was herself actually menstruating and had opened up to dispel the myths that discussing menstruation and sanitary wear was taboo. She brought samples of sanitary wear such as panty pads, tampons and cotton wool to illustrate her argument. Her openness and explicitness while debating caused Zanu PF chief whip Joram Gumbo to leave the House, saying it was a painful and difficult debate for him to listen to. Watch video below: “This motion is not frivolous. It teaches men and women on how to deal with their wives and daughters because traditionally it was taboo to discuss menstrual issues, but it has come to a point that in desperation, we are having to raise the issue of sanitary wear because for 34 years after independence, government has failed to provide this to women,” Misihairabwi-Mushonga said. “As it is now, I am having my period and I am sure there are other female MPs having theirs and the reason why I am raising this is that we can afford sanitary wear and perfume and it is not horrible to imagine it. But imagine if we were using leaves and passing nasty smells in the House, most men would not tolerate it.” Misihairabwi-Mushonga said it was costly for women to finance sanitary wear for seven days as it would need several packets of cotton wool, tampons or pads which could cost more than $21 per month. Jasmine Toffa (MDC) who seconded the motion said it was imperative for government to introduce industries that manufactured sanitary wear to make it affordable. Mutare South MP Nyasha Chikwinya (Zanu PF) said during the liberation struggle, she and other women had to crush tree bark for use as sanitary wear. “We had no choice, but to crush tree bark and it caused us to have sores in between the thighs and exposed us to ill health. It is painful that 34 years after independence, women cannot afford sanitary wear and have to use unhygienic means such as leaves, newspapers and tissues as pads. One of these days, female MPs will boycott putting on pads to force government to remove duty on sanitary wear,” Chikwinya said. Kuwadzana East MP (MDC-T) Nelson Chamisa said sanitary wear should be free and suggested it be placed at all public toilets in the same manner with condoms. Zanu PF legislator for Mutasa South Irene Zindi said some rural girls were using cow dung, maize cobs or leaves during their menstrual cycle. Subscribe Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates. Related Posts: ‘Fake degrees institution not registered’ Super Diski for Jaure Let’s tame this traffic jungle together Man jailed for killing neighbour over trousers Economy catches cold as banks sneeze 10 months on death row: Man gives chilling accountSECZ meets on asset managers, unit trusts 17 Responses to Video: MP brings panty pads, tampons to Parly gulaz July 9, 2014 at 2:01 pm # aaaaya,ndatenda hangu mufunge. REPLY REPORT COMMENT Zebron Charakupa July 9, 2014 at 2:28 pm # Admittedly, the issue of women’s sanitary wear is quite pertinent but there was no need for Misihairambwi-Mushonga to be so explicit. It takes away the appetite! REPLY REPORT COMMENT zol July 9, 2014 at 3:46 pm # Zebron you are totally wrong, Honourable Mushonga said it the way it ought to be said there is no better way of saying it to show the pertinence of the matter REPLY REPORT COMMENT chocho July 10, 2014 at 1:42 am # oh yes pa appetite baba ndatenda hangu REPLY REPORT COMMENT the psychoanalyst July 9, 2014 at 2:51 pm # the male members of this parly of barley cast will be allowed to wear their shanghai standard african made hats as an equal and opposite reaction to this revealing gesture which advantage was seized by the germans who exploited the wide open spaces through highly potent forward thrusts via the thinly covered canary brilliant brazilians !! oh i got mixed up sorry i forgot what i was writin about ….. REPLY REPORT COMMENT Shona 100 percent July 9, 2014 at 2:58 pm # I watched everything. I am SHONA and I find it a bit offensive that they keep on debating in Shona when they are other people, who are not originally Shona. This is a bit backward. Wasinggoni chirungu must be thrown out. REPLY REPORT COMMENT shoko mukanya mhofu July 9, 2014 at 3:00 pm # a business opportunity for sanitary wear manufacturers REPLY REPORT COMMENT Mandi July 9, 2014 at 3:28 pm # Priscilla is so vocal when it comes to these issues.A person’s hygien is up to her you also want free tissues to keep everyone clean since most youths and women are poor. REPLY REPORT COMMENT Mwana Wedangwe July 9, 2014 at 3:59 pm # changa chiri kuwedzi nhai? REPLY REPORT COMMENT taws July 9, 2014 at 4:36 pm # sorry comrade chikwinya can you crush buck trees today for your child to use as sanitary wear, like what you did during the reberation strungle munorasika vabereki ,this is the new zimbabwe i also applaud to those who reberate for this country to enjoy but you cant give such an example in this debate priscila is right she want to highlight what is our wife strungle to get a single sanitary wears because they are much not affordable for them so if this need to scrap duty on should prompt that those in rural area afford to access this wear cheaply rather to say isu takashandisa zviguri zvechigage saka zvakazodii burry those primitive minds adopt to the modern life that wil enhance productivity in economy REPLY REPORT COMMENT Mahwani July 9, 2014 at 6:13 pm # I think Priscilla got it right. Sometimes, you need some kind of violence to make your point and this was her way to do it. Why the government charges duty on this item boggles the mind. Minister of Finance, act on this and support those people importing this item until local industry can produce a quality product. Zvimwe zvaturwa izvo zvema tissue nemumwe munyori, mamwe mapepa nhau anongoshanda basa iroro nekuti haana nyaya. Pakuti utenge ma tissue anodhura, unongotenga 10 mapepa nhau, unopedza mwedzi wese nawo. REPLY REPORT COMMENT WILLARD MUBVUMBI July 9, 2014 at 8:15 pm # Zvakaoma. Its not good to talk about this, i would feel like throwing up. Oooogruuuu. REPLY REPORT COMMENT ndareva July 9, 2014 at 11:16 pm # Thank you for putting it out there, I know most of us men are ignorant about this issue. REPLY REPORT COMMENT kudahasnoknikkers July 10, 2014 at 6:48 am # As pertinent too are the issues of the right to clean water and toilets. It makes little sense to have sanitary pads without water to wash with or a toilet in which to dispose of the used pads. In fact it all boils down to eradication of poverty and job creation. Zimbabweans have descended into abject poverty which is why we are discussing such intimate issues in Parliament. Poverty and unemployment have stripped the majority of their dignity. Its not anybody’s desire to receive free handouts of sanitary pads. It’s demeaning. People like Nelson Chamisa speak from a point of total myopia. With jobs nobody need ever know when women are visited by their monthlies. It should not be anybody’s God Damned Business. Create jobs and keep your sanitary pads!!! REPLY REPORT COMMENT Richard the Lion Heart July 10, 2014 at 6:59 am # What did the indigenous people use before the colonisers brought cotton, toilet paper, cloth, sanitary towels, pads and tampons etc? Also, what did they use for perfume, roll on or spray deodorant? REPLY REPORT COMMENT Richard the Lion Heart July 10, 2014 at 7:25 am # In 1890 when the colonizers entered what is now called Zimbabwe they brought with them soap, deodorant, perfume, plumbing, toilets, sinks, tubs and showers etc. This must have been confusing to the indigenous people who were used to using leaves, bark and dried fecal matter from cows.
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 12:57:58 +0000
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