#EndMenstrualAbsenteeism for 1000 Girls in Zambia

                                            THE BASIZANA PROJECT 2^nd QUARTER REPORT 2023

Table of Contents

Executive Summary………………………………………………………………………......................................….3

Highlights of the 2^nd Quarter………………………………………………………………….....................................4

Work…………………………………………………………………………………………..........................................5

Activities……………………………………………………………………………………............................................5

Executive Summary

The Basizana project is an initiative that was established in September 2021 by the Bupilo Foundation to focus on female reproductive health. On average, Zambian rural girls miss about 10% of school days annually due to a lack of menstrual supplies, often missing exams or performing poorly as a result of their absenteeism during their period. In response to this, our mission is to provide long-term, sustainable solutions to fulfill our goal of reducing period poverty and menstrual absenteeism. 

We believe adopting the following principles will help us accomplish this:

• Integrity: Our integrity is an integral part of our campaign to bring an end to menstrual absenteeism and period poverty. As such, we commit ourselves to operating in an accountable and transparent manner to comply with the international guidelines for philanthropy.
• Sustainability: Our efforts are driven by the pursuit of sustainable solutions to completely address the challenges surrounding period poverty. These include providing reusable menstrual supplies with high durability that reduce menstrual absenteeism to 0% with little cost to the environment.
• Health and Safety: The health and safety of our stakeholders and beneficiaries is important to us. Hence, we are committed to adhering to the appropriate national and international guidelines for health and safety.

This document reports activities of the 2^nd quarter of 2023        

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2^ND QUARTER

• The team visited Sitoya Secondary School to get feedback on the progress made since the implementation of the project.
• 816 reusable sanitary pads were distributed to 204 girls.
• Introduction of matron.

 WORK

SITOYA SECONDARY SCHOOL TRIP

On June 29, 2023, the Basizana team, together with the chairperson of the Bupilo Foundation, Mrs. Mate Musokotwane, visited Sitoya Secondary School. The first order of the day was a Feedback Session on the reusable sanitary pads. The purpose of this session was to find out the impact of the reusable sanitary pad on menstrual absenteeism thus far.

• To start with, it was generally reported that menstrual absenteeism is dropping to zero because the girls can now attend classes while on their period and change their pads when necessary. It was further stated that the thickness of the reusable pads enables the girls to change them at break time. This implies that four (4) pads are sufficient for the day and can be washed and ready to use the next morning.
• Due to the increased menstrual hygiene awareness of the Basizana Project, there is a decrease inthe stigma surrounding menstruation. As a result, it was stated that the girls have become more confident in class and are more comfortable holding conversations about menstrual hygiene as well as the use of the reusable sanitary pads that they have been introduced to by the project.
• In order to ensure the sustainability of this project, the team introduced the girls to a matron. The matron has been assigned to handle sensitive matters concerning the reusable pads. The girls were then encouraged to talk to the matron whenever they had concerns regarding the project, such as training on how to use the pads.

 ACTIVITIES

• A total of 204 girls at Sitoya Secondary School (The same beneficiaries as the previous year) received reusable sanitary pads. Each girl received a pack containing four (4) reusable pads with a lifespan of two years.
• During every visit, the Basizana team conducts a menstrual management session. The purpose of this session is to train and inform girls on how to use reusable pads sustainably. However, the session did not take place this time around, as previous beneficiaries are now capable of training new beneficiaries. In this sense, the sharing of knowledge is improving as well as raising awareness of menstrual issues within rural communities.

Executive Summary

The Basizana project is a non-profit initiative that was established in September 2021 by the Bupilo Foundation to focus on female reproductive health. On average, Zambian rural girls miss about 10% of school days annually due to a lack of menstrual supplies, often missing exams or performing poorly as a result of their absenteeism during their period. In response to this, our mission is to provide long-term sustainable solutions to fulfill our goal of bringing an end to period poverty and menstrual absenteeism. 

We believe adopting the following principles will help us accomplish this.

• Integrity: Our integrity is an integral part of our campaign to bring an end to menstrual absenteeism and period poverty. As such we commit ourselves to operate in an accountable and transparent manner to comply with the international guidelines for philanthropy. 
• Sustainability: Our efforts are driven by the pursuit of sustainable solutions to completely address the challenges surrounding period poverty. These include providing reusable menstrual supplies with high durability that reduce menstrual absenteeism to 0% with little cost to the environment.
• Health and Safety: The health and safety of our stakeholders and beneficiaries are important to us. Hence, we are committed to adhering to the appropriate national and international guidelines for health and safety.

In view of the aforementioned, the Basizana project was launched in Mkushi district, Central Province, and Chief Sibeta area in Limunlunga, Western Province in Zambia with a total of 500 schoolgirls as beneficiaries. 

Contents

1.0 Introduction1

2.0 Highlight of the first quarter1

3.0 Work1

4.0 Impact                                                                                                                                                                

5.0 Conclusion3

1.0 Introduction

Period poverty is a global issue that has continued to affect women and girls that come from poor economic backgrounds. In Zambia girls from low economic backgrounds stay away from school during their periods, this challenge existed for decades not only in Zambia but in other parts of the world. According to the 2021 statistics from the World Bank, 50.66% of Zambia’s population are women and over 80% are within reproductive age, however, period poverty continues to be on the rise and less attention is given to menstrual hygiene management.

This quarter, the Bupilo Foundation purchased Sewing, Cutting, and Overlocking machines that will be used to make reusable pads. The Basizana project is also waiting for certification from the Zambia Bureau of Standards ZABS.

This report will highlight the progress that the Basizana project has made to ensure that the production of pads increases which will mean more beneficiaries and an adequate supply of reusable pads. This report also serves as a monitoring mechanism for the progress made by the project.

2.0 Highlight of the first quarter 

• Purchased sewing, cutting, and overlocking machines
• Processing certification from the Zambia Bureau of Standards ZABS.
• Produced 2,700 pads and 675 pad bags using the Basizana machines at our factory in Lusaka West.

3.0 Work 

On the 25th of January 2023, The Bupilo Foundation under the Basizana Project purchased a Jack A2 Sewing machine, Cutting machine, and Overlocking machine from Madine stores in Kamwala, Lusaka, Zambia.

Since 2021, Basizana contracted Banke, a tailor within Lusaka whose space was used as a factory to produce reusable pads for the Basizana project. In 2022, one of the project goals was to purchase Sewing, Cutting, and Overlocking machines to reduce the cost of manufacturing the pads and manufacture internally to control the quality.

With the introduction of free education from primary to secondary schools in Zambia, we have witnessed an increase in the number of school girls as well as a serious call for the number of reusable pads that need to be produced in order to ensure that we are able to end period absenteeism in schools.

On the 16th of February 2023, the Zambia Bureau of Standards ( ZABS )audited the Bupilo Foundation under the Basizana project for the purpose of finding out more about the ability of the organization to produce reusable sanitary pads that can be supplied to girls and women within and out of Zambia. During auditing, ZABS collected pads made by the theBasizana project as samples that were then taken for testing to their offices before the ZABS committee reaches a decision on whether or not Basizana can be granted a certificate. The purpose of the BupiloFoundation applying for certification from ZABS is to ensure that the pads produced are tested, are of good standards, and have a quality mark.  This will ensure safety and quality confidence for the end user.  

On the 13th of March 2023, tailors started making pads at the Basizana pad-making factory located at S&M Farm in Lusaka West. The tailors are able to make 1000 pads per week and 4000 pads per month. The Basizana project has produced 2700 pads and 675 pad bags. The project aims at producing pads that can also be sold in and out of Zambia as a way of raising funds to ensure that the project goals are met.

4.0 Impact 

The long-term goal of the Basizana project is to expand and maintain a consistent distribution of sanitary products to marginalized girls of all grades in various schools around the country. This will be achieved by gradually scaling up the process through establishing long-term partnerships with key stakeholders and the production of Basizana branded pads using our machines. 

Activities

• Increase the number of pads produced 
• Deliver menstrual hygiene training on a quarterly basis to all girls that receive reusable sanitary pads from the Basizana project.

Outputs

• End period poverty for each recipient of the menstrual supplies by 2025.
• Reduce menstrual absenteeism down to 0%
• Increased education on female reproductive healthcare
• Increased educational success among female students

5.0 Conclusion

The Basizana project's ultimate goal is to bring an end to menstrual absenteeism for girls in school, to ensure that they stay in school and complete their education empowering them to rise out of period poverty and maximize their chances of economic success. The project has reached a milestone in manufacturing its own pads for the purpose of quality control, reduced overhead costs, and capacity building in our mission to manufacture quality reusable pads to distribute and supply throughout Zambia and the region as a way of encouraging self-sustained financing for the project.

• Report (PDF)
  

The project took a special focus on Chalata Secondary School in the second quarter, as the plans for the project’s expansion remain underway.

We successfully distributed reusable pads to 278 girls at Chalata, bringing us to a total of 490 girls thus far! The distribution came in response to the research carried out last quarter revealing a lack in suitable menstrual supplies for the girls and the need for adequate water and sanitation hygiene (WASH) facilities at the school.

Following the new government’s decision to make education free, the school has seen a spike in student enrollment, which has left an overwhelming strain on the school’s facilities, more specifically the WASH facilities. Our research findings revealed that 25% of all water source platforms were broken, thus limiting available water supply to students. Due to the deteriorating condition of these, about 50% of students now rely on pit latrines for the lavatory and buckets for bathing with a reduced access to water.

In view of this, the Basizana Project has decided to collaborate with the school to build an ablution block for both girls and boys at the school to cater to the new sanitation and hygiene demands brought about by the spike in enrollment and in line with our impact strategy under SDG 6 & 6.2.

We are enthusiastic about the short and long-term impact the construction of the ablution blocks will bring. We believe we can improve their menstrual hygiene management and thus, reduce period-related infections for girl students through improved sanitation and hygiene standards. We are also confident in the job opportunities this will provide for the local community.

A full and detailed report of the research conducted in the second quarter of 2022 can be found here. 

Links:

• Quarterly Research Reports 2022

• 2nd Quarterly Report 2022 - Basizana (PDF)
  

In January 2022, the Basizana project took a step to expand the project to 1000 girls beginning with the addition of three new schools bring them to a total of four schools with beneficiaries in the village of Mkushi, located in the Central Province of Zambia.

The goal of the project is conduct research to develop a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by girls in this area, followed by an implementation plan to address said challenges. Hence the majority of the work covered in the first quarter of 2022 mainly included monitoring and evaluation of the four schools Nambo Basic School, Nshinso Basic School, Chalata Basic School and Kandawo Basic School. 

A summary of the findings from the monitoring and evaluation concluded that the following challenges were experienced by girls across all the schools. 

• Less than 15% of the girls can afford menstrual supplies 
• 85% of the girls miss 4 days of school a month on average due to their period
• Most girls use cloths with low absorbancy to manage their periods, leading to stains thus makign it difficult to attend school. 
• All the schools visited used pit latrines, with no running water close enough to clean or disinfectant them. 

In addition to this, a follow up study was conducted at Nambo Basic school to assess the reception and use of Menstrual cups that were distributed in Q4 of 2021. The findings showed that over 80% of receipients did not use the menstrual cups given to them. The following reasons were given by respondents in the follow up survey. 

• Discomfort with insertion 
• Concerns about effect this would have on purity of the girls
•  Tradition and Taboos

Hence, in response to the feedback given the project moved to distribute reusable pads that are equally sustainable and durable. The benefits of the pads are that they are less invasive and are closer to the cloths used prior with better absorbance and are more durable avoiding risks of stains and infections. 

A total of 108 reusable pads were distributed to girls at Nambo basic school along with the delivery of menstrual hygiene training to ensure the girls were educated on appriopriate menstrual hygiene practice. The reception toward the reusable pads was comparatively more positive resulting in over 70% of the girls prefering them over the menstrual cups previously given.

In conclusion this project aims to raise $15,000 to provide resuable pads to 1000 girls across the central and western province of Zambia. The $15000 dollars will go towards funding research and development for the project in addition to the purchase and distribution of reusable menstrual supplies, with menstrual hygiene training. 

A full and detailed report of the research conducted in the first quarter of 2022 can be found here. 

Links:

• Quarterly Research Reports 2022